darkedge midshipman
Porichthys analis
Toadfish of the Mexican Pacific, found from the intertidal zone to 224 m deep. It is harmless to anglers.
Also called: peixe-sapo-de-borda-escura, sapo de luto, darkedge midshipman
- maximum
- 36 cm
- record/max.
- 0.4 kg
- depth
- 0–360 m
who is the darkedge midshipman
Bottom-dwelling toadfish of the family Batrachoididae, which occurs in the Mexican Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Tenacatita Bay. It lives from the intertidal zone to 224 m, with records to 360 m, and reaches 36 cm total length, weighing up to 423 g. It is commercially caught and is not dangerous to anglers. Like toadfishes in general, it is an ambush predator that sits still on the bottom.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the darkedge midshipman; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Elongated, scaleless bottom fish of the family Batrachoididae. It occurs only in Mexico, from the Gulf of California to Tenacatita, and reaches 36 cm. Porichthys margaritatus, which ranges from Mexico to Peru, reaches 17 cm, less than half that. These differences in size and range are the best clues for telling the two species apart in the field.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Occurs in Mexico, in the Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Tenacatita Bay.
Habitat: Near the bottom, from the intertidal zone to 224 m, with records to 360 m.
rules for the darkedge midshipman
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
Harmless to anglers. Handle it carefully and release it quickly.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00676, b = 3.14; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Porichthys analis (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Porichthys analisNames by country and language.
