When it comes to fish, we’re suckers for an ugly face, venomous fins, or a voracious appetite.  While many of the truly ugly or spiky fish might not seem appealing or even appetizing, some of these species are worth a look and a taste.  One of my favorite fish is the toad fish.  Its name fits its looks. With a gaping mouth and a feisty attitude, the toad fish is a real winner.  Another fish of note is the scorpion fish, so named for its spiky venomous spines. And, the lion fish (pictured below) also known for its poisonous spine, beauty, take no guff attitude.  The lion fish is increasingly known for its tasty fillets. Unfortunately, the lion fish is an invasive species and, with no native predators, its numbers are increasing rapidly.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continues to study lion fish to understand their impacts on native species off the Southeast Coast of the United States. 

If you happen to catch one of these species while out fishing, you need to handle them with extreme care.  If you plan to fillet and prepare toad, scorpion or lion fish yourself, be sure to consult the experts before filleting and cooking.  But, if you see one of these species on the menu you might just want to give it a try.