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Identification Key Frogfishes

Indian Ocean (including the Red Sea)

Question: Is the Frogfish striped?

Yes continue here

No answer the next question

Question: can you see the lure (illicium) and the bait (esca)?

Illicium and esca of a frogfish are some of the main characteristics that differ for each species.

No continue here

Yes answer the questions below

Question: The luring apparatus is

a) the same length or longer than the second dorsal spine

Yes continue here

a) shorter than the second dorsal spine

Yes continue here

a) I am not sure.....

Yes continue here

This identification key is only for species of the subfamily Antennariinae (frogfishes, family Antennariidae, suborder Antennarioidei) which are frogfishes living in tropical and Subtropical waters.
Please take note, that this is a simplified identification key. Ichthyologists use tables with the number of dorsal, anal and pectoral rays, the length of the illicium and other distinguishing characteristics for means of identification.