Spotfin frogfish

📖 Overview

Sedentary . Inhabit intertidal zone to depths of at least 25 m on both lagoon and seaward reefs. May be taken anywhere from the surface to approximately 176 m in the Indo-Pacific area, average depth of known captures at 19 m. Those from Eastern Atlantic at deeper waters, between 44 and 293 m, average depth of 107 m. In life, its esca resembles a tiny stout-bodied shrimp . Benthic . Oviparous. Eggs are bound in ribbon-like sheath or mass of gelatinous mucus called 'egg raft' or 'veil' . Voracious carnivore, attracting prey with front of their cavernous mouth by wriggling their baitshaped first dorsal spine (lure) .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Color variable, yellow, pink, red, brown, or black. a dark spot at base of posterior dorsal rays (a black phase with tips of pectoral rays white also occurs, Ref# 1602). Illicium about equal in length with 2nd dorsal spine. Bulbous esca with filamentous tentacles (resembling a stout-bodied shrimp, Ref# 1602). Last pelvic fin ray bifurcate. Caudal peduncle present. Eyes usually with bands radiating from its pupil . : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Spotfin frogfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Spotfin frogfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Oviparous. Eggs are bound in ribbon-like sheath or mass of gelatinous mucus called 'egg raft' or 'veil' .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 293 m , usually 19 - 20 m . Subtropical; 40°N - 50°S, 1°W - 147°W East Africa to the Hawaiian and Society islands, north to Japan, south to New Zealand.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

👥 Community & Contribute