Spotfin frogfish

The spotfin frogfish, Antennatus nummifer, is a fish of the family Antennariidae, found in all subtropical oceans to depths of 300 m. It grows to 13 cm (5.1 in) in total length. This species can be found in the aquarium trade.

Spotfin frogfish
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Lophiiformes
Family: Antennariidae
Genus: Antennatus
Species:
A. nummifer
Binomial name
Antennatus nummifer
(G. Cuvier, 1817)

Information

The species varies in color to match their surroundings. They are known for their ability to camouflage and get lost in their surroundings to avoid predators. They are able to lure in their prey with a stalk found between their eyes that imitates the movements of their prey; its mouth can be opened and expanded to the same width as its body to catch and swallow prey. They feed on small fish, crustaceans, and worms.[1]

Names

The spotfin frogfish is also commonly known as:[1]

  • Coin-bearing frogfish
  • Dark-spotted frogfish
  • Spotfin anglerfish
  • Spotfin angler
  • Whitefinger anglerfish
  • Whitefinger frogfish

Location

The spotfin frogfish can be found on sheltered reefs and on sandy bottoms with rich sponge growth along them. They are widespread across the Indo-Pacific region.[1]

References
  • Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2012). "Antennatus nummifer" in FishBase. April 2012 version.
  • Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8
  1. "Spotfin Frogfish". What's That Fish. Retrieved 23 December 2012.


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