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Frogfish Behavior

Colors and Camouflage
Reproduction
Locomotion

 

Tips for identifying Frogfishes

Diese Seite in Deutsch

Frogfish are determined by looking at the length of the rod and the form of their lure, the dermal spinules, the number of their spines, the number of fin-rays and the position of the gill opening. It is also important if there are eye spots (ocellus) present or they are missing. The colors are so variable, that they don't help much in identifying frogfishes. Some of the more uncommon colors can be used though to prove or disprove a certain identification.

If you want to find out which species of frogfish you have found, you should look closely and memorize or take a photograph of the following characteristics:


1. Luring rod longer / the same length / shorter than the second dorsal spine?
2. Characteristics of the lure and bait?
3. Does the frogfish has ocelli (eye spots) or other special characteristics like warts, stripes and what is its color?
4. Where did you find the frogfish? What kind of habitat (sand, reef, seagrass) and in which geographic area?

Key to the known Frogfish species

You have found a perticular frogfish and would like to know which species it belongs to. This identification key guides you step by step towards a possible identification.

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.


First question: Is it a Frogfish?

If yes click here

There are several species of fish that look very similar to frogfishes. Here a couple examples.

Giant frogfish - <em>Antennarius commerson</em> (commersonii) - Riesen Anglerfisch
White Giant Frogfish (Antennarius commerson)
Stargazer (Uranoscopus sulphureus)
Steinfisch (Synanceia verrucosa)
Stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa)
Gelber Warzen Anglerfisch (<em>Antennarius maculatus</em>)
Yellow Warty (Clown) Frogfish (Antennarius maculatus)
Skorpionfisch (Rhinopias frondosa)
Scorpionfish (Rhinopias frondosa)
Leaffish (Taenianotus triacanthus)
Schwarzer Warzen Anglerfisch (<em>Antennarius maculatus</em>)
Black Warty (Clown) Frogfish (Antennarius maculatus)
Samtfisch (Paraploactis sp)
Velvetfish (Paraploactis sp)
Stirnflosser (Ablabys taenianotus)
Waspfish (Ablabys taenianotus)
Rosa Rundflecken Anglerfisch (<em>Antennarius pictus</em>)
Pink Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus)
Skorpionfisch (Rhinopias eschmeyeri)
Scorpionfish (Rhinopias eschmeyeri)
Steinfisch (Synanceia verrucosa)
Stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa)


Identification from the length of the lure and the colors
Start here


Identification from geographic area

Overview - Indian Ocean - Red Sea - Southeast Asia (including Japan and northern Australia) - Japan und Taiwan - Pacific (Without Eastern Pacific, Hawaii and subtropical Australia) - Australia - Hawaii - Eastern Pacific - Western Atlantic - Eastern Atlantic


List of 52 (54?) frogfish species
Start here


The 10 most well-known frogfish-species
Start here


Photos various frogfish species
Start here


The Antennarius pictus Group
(Giant, Painted, Warty, Longlure, Leopard frogfish)
Start here

I identified all frogfishes (anglerfishes) to my best knowledge. Frogfishes are specially difficult to identify (see tips for identification) so mistakes are possible of course! Please write to me, if you have any questions. Latin names according to the newest scientific findings, ITIS Standard Report and Fishbase.


. Copyright Teresa Zubi