Ringed toadfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ringed toadfish |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Genus: |
Omegaphora
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| Species: |
O. armilla
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| Omegophora armilla Waite & McCulloch, 1915
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The ringed toadfish (Omegophora armilla) is a fascinating type of pufferfish. It belongs to the family called Tetraodontidae. This fish can grow up to 25 centimeters (about 10 inches) long. It's important to know that the ringed toadfish is poisonous if eaten. You can spot it by the black ring around its pectoral fins and its oval-shaped body. Its skin is covered in small spines.
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Where Do Ringed Toadfish Live?
The ringed toadfish makes its home in different underwater places. You can find it in seagrass beds, among rocky reefs, and on sandy ocean bottoms. They live in waters from 1 meter (about 3 feet) down to 146 meters (about 479 feet) deep!
Their Ocean Home
These fish are found in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean. They mostly live around the southern coast of Australia.
What Do They Eat?
The ringed toadfish is a carnivore, which means it eats other animals. Its favorite foods are small, benthic invertebrates. These are tiny creatures that live on or in the seafloor.
Keeping Ringed Toadfish Safe
Scientists keep an eye on the ringed toadfish to make sure its population is healthy.
Conservation Status
The IUCN Red List has listed the ringed toadfish as a "Least Concern" species. This means that, for now, there are no major worries about it becoming endangered.
What Threats Do They Face?
Sometimes, ringed toadfish are accidentally caught by fishing boats. This is called bycatch. Also, some of the ocean's resources are being used by humans. However, these activities don't seem to harm the toadfish population very much. Many of the areas where they live are also marine protected areas. These special zones help keep ocean life safe.
The Ringed Toadfish Family Tree
Scientists group living things together based on how they are related. This is called taxonomy.
Its Closest Relatives
The ringed toadfish (Omegophora armilla) is one of two species in its genus, Omegophora. The other species is the bluespotted toadfish (Omegophora cyanopunctata). These two types of toadfish can sometimes be found in the same areas.
