Gulf Toadfish

[arlene1995]

Hi!
I have a 9.5" Gulf Toadfish in my 125. When I purchased it, it was very red in color. All the pictures I have ever seen of it in the wild are brown. Now, 3 months later, he seems to be taking on a brownish hue. Is it possible that in their juvenile state they are red and turn brown as they age? Thanks!

 

[salt life]

dudeee where you been? idk about your fish but how is your fimbraited doin? I started a thread askin where you were at to see if you had any updated pics?

 

[arlene1995]

Hey!
Well, I've been sick for a while now so... However, the whole tank is doing fabulous and the Fimby is doing great as well! On the 18th, I will have had it for 1 year and 7 months!!! I'll post some pics later tonight!

 

[salt life]

Originally Posted by Arlene1995
http:///forum/post/2981846
Hey!
Well, I've been sick for a while now so... However, the whole tank is doing fabulous and the Fimby is doing great as well! On the 18th, I will have had it for 1 year and 7 months!!! I'll post some pics later tonight!
ohh sorry to hear about bein sick, that is always a bummer...
glad the tank is doing well! can't wait to see the pics!

 

[small triggers]

I got one about 6 inches long and it was fairly red, but had a brownish tinge to it. Yours was the first i had ever seen. Now my LFS has a little one, like 2 inches and its bright orangeish red. Pretty cool. The only other picture ive seen of one is in the marine fishes book by Scott Michael and its kinda brown too.

 

[txfishman]

I have seen about 8 2-5 inch ones and they were all redish orange.

 

[arlene1995]

Hmmm...
Based on these responses here, I guess one could assume that maybe the color differences are due to the environment they are collected in? I saw a full grown one that was exactly half red, half brown. I don't exactly know. I believe they are all the same species (Opsanus beta) however I am not totally sure...
Ok, pic-wise, I am about to update my build thread for the tank so stay tuned!

 

[cranberry]

I have seen ones that were large and still orange.

 

[hammerhed7]

your toadfish will stay orange, they just change shades from time to time. Have you tried feeding a little squid? My toad loved it, and squid and clams seemed to brighten his colors.