| Family | Scientific Name | Author | Year | Common Name |
| Batrachoididae | Opsanus tau | (Linnaeus) | 1766 | Oyster Toadfish |
Opsanus tau
Unique Characters: Body brownish, variably blotched with darker brown. Fins banded. Canine-like teeth and photophores absent. Dorsal-fin spines 3; 1 subopercular spine present. Body scaleless. Axillary pore behind pectoral fins present.
Note: An undescribed species of Opsanus may also be present in North Carolina waters.
Similar Species: Atlantic Midshipman Porichthys plectrodon. Silvery to gold on sides with dark spots/blotches dorsally. Canine-like teeth and photophores present on head and lateral line. Dorsal-fin spines 2 and small; subopercular spines absent. Body scaleless. No axillary pore behind pectoral fins.
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