Common Name: Halstead’s Toadfish

Distribution: Common in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Found in the Southwest Pacific region, known only from the east coast of Australia, where it is recorded from central Queensland to eastern Victoria on the east coast. 

Ecological Notes: Frequents sandy areas adjacent to turbulent surf zones on sandy beaches.

Additional Notes: Pale body with mottled brown pattern on dorsal surface, orange iris. As with other members of the family, this species is poisonous and should not be eaten. This specimen, approximately 6 cm long, photographed in sandy shallow area adjacent to rocky headland. Grows to 16 cm.

References: Kuiter, R. H., Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Published by Crawford House Press Pty. Ltd., 1993. p.420.

Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=Reicheltia+halsteadi. Accessed 05/07/18.

FishBase. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2018. World Wide Web electronic publication. https://fishbase.ca/summary/reicheltia-halsteadi.html. Accessed 05/07/18.