Oyster toadfish are apex predators on oyster reefs. Nonetheless, evidence exists that they are prey for birds (e.g. cormorants). A related species, Opsanus beta, is prey for dolphins. Research has demonstrated that toadfish will call less when dolphin sounds are played from a nearby speaker. For protection, toadfish have a venomous spine in the first ray of the dorsal fin. They can bury themselves up to their eyeballs in sand, and might be capable of camouflage.
