Beachcombers Field Guide - Department Of Fisheries Western ...

Weeping toadfi sh
(Torquigener pleurogramma)
Chordata – Osteichthyes
Commonly referred
to as a blowie, these pufferfi sh
are considered to be a nuisance to
recreational fi shers because they gobble
up bait, making it hard for fi shers to catch
other species. However, blowies play an
important role in marine ecosystems, as
they are omnivorous (plant- and animaleaters)
and feed on almost anything they
can scavenge. They consume
waste scraps, bait and
burley along with
its normal diet,
and therefore
help to keep
our coastal
waters
clean.
Photo: Henrique Kwong
Did you know?
Pufferfi sh produce a highly
lethal toxin called tetrodotoxin
– present in their skin, fl esh and
internal organs. Do not allow dogs
to mouth any dead fi sh, as they can
ingest suffi cient toxin to kill them.