Hovercraft Boxfish (Tetrosomus gibbosus)

The Hovercraft Boxfish or Tetrosomus gibbosus gets its name from the way it seems to hover when it is swimming.  This saltwater fish is just one of the many different species of Boxfish in the Ostraciiadae family.  Often kept as a pet, this aquarium fish is know for its odd behavior and weird shape.

Hovercraft Boxfish can grow to about 16" (400mm) in length and are found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.  They are considered to be peaceful tankmates as long as they aren't kept with their own kind.  This Boxfish can be fed a variety of foods including flake foods, frozen and live marine food.  This fish is sometimes known as the Humpback Turretfish and the Yellow Boxfish.  Check out the Hovercraft Boxfish underwater in the video below.


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Oyster Toadfish (Opsanus tau)

The Oyster Toadfish or Opsanus tau is just one of the many saltwater fish from the family Batrachoididae known as Toadfish. These fish occasionally make it into the aquarium trade and go by a few different names including Mudtoad, Ugly Toad, Oyster Cracker, Dowdies and the Bar Dog. As you can imagine with a nickname like the Ugly Toad this fish is quite odd looking with a yellowish brown coloration and sharp teeth.  They also have sharp venomous dorsal spines so be careful when taking them off the hook! 

Oyster Toadfish are not very long, only growing to about 15" (39cm). The males of this species has the ability to make a foghorn sound that is used during the mating season to attract females. The males will build a nest and then serenade their female counterparts with their lovely croaking.  After courtship the male will stay and guard the eggs and small fry after they hatch.  Both the male and female of this species are known to make a croaking sounds when threatened or caught.  You can check out the Oyster Toadfish in action in the videos below.
 


Oyster Toadfish are omnivores that will feed on a variety of foods including fish, mollusks, crustaceans and squid. They are ambush predators that will lay motionless until a potential meal comes by and then attack with amazing speed!

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Spotfin Mojarra (Eucinostomus argenteus)

The Spotfin Mojarra or Eucinostomus argenteus is a small saltwater fish that is found in the Atlantic Ocean near the shore. This fish is oblong with a silver compressed body that can grow to about 8" in length. The Spotfin Mojarra has a spinous dorsal fin that has black spots with three anal fin spines. They have jaws that are pointing downward which allows them to feed off the bottom.  Also known as the Silver Mojarra these fish are often found in schools and spawn in the warmer months of the year.

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Gray Snapper (Lutjanus griseus)

The Gray Snapper or Lutjanus griseus is thought to be one of the more intelligent fish in the ocean. This saltwater fish has the ability to change it coloration to a bright red to blend in with its surroundings and avoid potential predators. Also known as the Mangrove Snapper, Mango Snapper, Grey Snapper, Black Snapper, Lowyer or Cabellerote they grow to about 35.4 inches (90cm) and can weigh in at as much as 29.5 pound (13.4 kg). This fish has a continuous dorsal fin with 10 spines, the fourth of which is the longest.

The Gray Snapper will feed mostly on small fish and crustaceans. It is prized for its tasty flesh and considered to be a difficult fish to catch. The best bait to catch this species of Snapper is minnows, shrimp or squid. Sometimes chum is used to attract these Snappers.  You can learn more about the Gray Snapper in the videos below.


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