Unknown fish, Persian Gulf

[Searcaigh]

I can across this fish in about 3m of water off Dubai this morning.

Unfortunately it did not exit its lair so I have now idea how long it was or the body shape. The head was around 5-7 cm (2-3 inches) wide

Does anyone have any idea what it might be?

 

[gwklein]

Possibly a flat toadfish

 

[Searcaigh]

Thanks gwklein, it does appear similar to a photo of a flat toadfish in Coastal Fishes of Oman (J E Randall) p81.

 

[WinfieldNC]

I don't think I've ever seen a toadfish free swimming before. They're always backed into a hole of some kind. This is an oyster toadfish that is commonly seen on the wrecks off the coast of NC.

 

[Searcaigh]

I don't think I've ever seen a toadfish free swimming before.

@WinfieldNC

Last night we did a night dive at another site close by to where I found the first toadfish and we came across two out free swimming in 7m.