Warty frogfish (Antennarius maculatus)

Scientific name: Antennarius maculatus Desjardins, 1840

The Warty frogfish (Antennarius maculatus) is a marine fish of the family Antennariidae.

Biology

Dorsal spines: 3; Dorsal soft rays: 11-12; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 6 - 7. Characterized by numerous prominent wartlike protuberances on its skin and a large esca that mimics a tiny fish. Bony part of the illicium with numerous crossbands and approximately twice as long as the 2nd dorsal spine. Coloration is highly variable, ranging from cream to yellow, brown, or black with scattered dark circular spots and saddles or blotches ranging from white to pink, rust-red, or red. Heavily spotted individuals resemble A. pictus. Usually has red or orange margins on all fins and the first band across the body diverts to the posterior edge of the eye which distinguishes it from A. pictus.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Antennarius maculatus
Family: Antennariidae (Frogfishes)
Order: Lophiiformes (Anglerfishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 15.0
Depth range: 0–11 m (0–36 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 11 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Maldives and Mauritius to Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Recently reported from New Caledonia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Fec assumed to be > 10,000)