{{Short description|Species of toadfish}} {{Speciesbox | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name = IUCN>{{cite journal | author = Collette, B.B. | author-link = Bruce Baden Collette | year = 2015 | title = ''Halobatrachus didactylus'' | journal = The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species | volume = 2015 | page = e.T195003A15535727 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T195003A15535727.en | doi-access = free }}</ref> | image = Batrachus didactylus - 1700-1880 - Print - Iconographia Zoologica - Special Collections University of Amsterdam - UBA01 IZ13600177.tif | parent_authority = J. D. Ogilby, 1908 | taxon = Halobatrachus didactylus | display_parents = 2 | authority = (Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801) | synonyms = *''Batrachus didactylus'' <small>Bloch & Schneider, 1801</small> *''Batrachoides didactylus'' <small>(Bloch & Schneider, 1801)</small> *''Batrachus conspicillum'' <small>Cuvier, 1829</small> *''Batrachus punctatus'' <small>Agassiz, 1831</small> *''Batrachus borealis'' <small>Nilsson, 1832</small> *''Batrachus planifrons'' <small>Guichenot, 1850</small> *''Batrachoides planifrons'' <small>(Guichenot, 1850)</small> *''Batrachus algeriensis'' <small>Guichenot, 1850</small> *''Batrachus guentheri'' <small>Bleeker, 1863</small> | synonyms_ref = <ref name = FishBase>{{FishBase|Halobatrachus|didactylus|month=February|year=2018}}</ref> | range_map = Halobatrachus didactylus mapa.svg | range_map_caption = Distribution of ''Halobatrachus didactylus'' }}

The '''Lusitanian toadfish''' (''Halobatrachus didactylus'') is a species of toadfish found along the Atlantic and Mediterranean Coasts of western Europe and western Africa, from the Bay of Biscay to Ghana, with an isolated and old northern record from the Norwegian side of the Kattegat.<ref name = IUCN/> This species grows to a length of {{convert|50|cm|in}}. This species is of minor importance to local commercial fisheries. Locally, it is known as ''gripau'' (Catalan), ''charroco'', ''encharroco'', ''xarroco'' (Portuguese), and ''pez sapo'' (Spanish)).<ref>{{FishBase |genus= Halobatrachus|species= didactylus| month = April | year = 2012}}</ref>

The fish is also known to make a variety of noises, such as whistles, grunts, croaks, and a boatwhistle that is used both to attract females and to deter intruding males.<ref name="ns20150404">{{cite news|author=Mary Bates|title=Zoologger: Bagpiper fish keeps intruders away with song|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn27280-zoologger-bagpiper-fish-keeps-intruders-away-with-song.html|agency=New Scientist|date=1 April 2015|accessdate=4 April 2015}}</ref>

The Lusitanian toadfish is a sedentary fish which is found in substrates consisting of soft sand or mud and which often lies partially buried or conceals itself in rock crevices. They are solitary fish of shallow waters. It is a predator feeding on crustaceans, molluscs and smaller fish. It is an oviparous species and after laying, the female leaves the eggs to be guarded by the male.<ref name = FishBase/> It is found at depths of less than {{convert|60|m|ft}}.<ref name = IUCN/>

The Lusitanian toadfish is of minor importance to fisheries, it is taken by artisanal fisheries and as bycatch. It is marketed fresh but also used for fishmeal and to make oil.<ref name = IUCN/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1947004}}

Category:Batrachoididae Category:Taxa named by Marcus Elieser Bloch Category:Taxa named by Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider Category:Fish described in 1801

{{Batrachoidiformes-stub}}