11 replies to this topic

[Lester]

The Bizarre Frogfishes, Anglerfishes, Order Lophiiformes/Antennariiformes
by BobFenner@WetWebMedia.com


You know these fishes, if you can just find them in a tank or even harder, hidden amongst rubble and coral on a reef. They come with their own "fishing apparatus", an illicium (line) and esca (lure) for luring unsuspecting prey to their capacious maws. If they have pelvic fins on their girthy bodies, these are located ahead of their pectoral fins, and often used to "walk" their owner about.

The group includes many suborders (five in the present, presented scheme) and sixteen (to eighteen) families, about 65 genera and three hundred species... some are dominant forms in the abyssal depths, others lurk just under the substrate... all are cryptic and unseemly in appearance (at least to me...), though of course, "beautiful" in their own rights.

A few species make their way into pet-fish markets... the most important element to keep in mind in their captive husbandry is their penchant for swallowing their tankmates... and the fact that they either must have live foods regularly supplied or be trained to take fresh/dead foodstuffs from a wiggled feeding stick.


Species of Interest:

Antennarius commerson (Latreille 1804), the Giant or Commerson's Anglerfish.
At right a ten incher in N. Sulawesi. Below (black) one incher, caught in Hawai'i. A yellow one at Elmer's in Pittsburgh, PA. Others from N. Sulawesi To 13 inches in length. Widespread in the Indo-Pacific; Red Sea to Hawai'i. Occurs in nearly all colors, patterns (w/ the exception of blue!) matching sponges they're found in association with. Also often identified under the pseudonym A. moluccensis. Distinguished from other similar looking Anglers (e.g. A. pictus) by having a greater number of fin rays: anal (typically 8), dorsal (13), and pectoral (11).



Antennarius hispidus (Bloch & Schneider 1801), the Hairy or Shaggy Anglerfish
Indo-Pacific; particularly Malaysia, Indonesia. To eight inches in length. Coastal bays near camouflaging sponges. Occur in oranges, tans, yellows, and apparently black. N. Sulawesi images. You can tell this species apart from the similar A. striatus by its pom-pom like esca.

[Lester]

Antennarius maculatus (Desjardin's 1840), the Clown Anglerfish
Indo-Pacific. To four inches in length. Often seen out in the open, especially when small, apparently mimicking toxic nudibranchs. Most are white with orange or red mottling, but many colors exist. Have prominent illicia ("fishing poles" that resemble small fishes. N. Sulawesi pix of half, full and one and a half inch individuals.



Antennarius multiocellatus (Valenciennes 1837), the Long-lure Anglerfish
Tropical West Atlantic; Florida to northern South America. Most common frogfish in the TWA, found disguised around sponges. Fishing rod (illicium) about twice the length of first dorsal spine. Feed on fishes and crustaceans. Eggs laid in ribbon like masses. Here are two colored varieties in Bonaire.

[Lester]

Antennarius pictus (Shaw & Nodder 1794), the Painted Anglerfish
Indo-Pacific. Principally imported from Indonesia and the Philippines. To 16 cm. overall length. Comes in all colors, and mottled, matching with local decor. Typically found amongst sponges, rock near the bottom or on the mud/muck. Below, N. Sulawesi images of some of the many color and marking varieties of this species (or multi-species complex). Distinguished by bony part of "fishing rod" being about twice the length of second dorsal spine and "lure" being an elongated and flat tuft.

[Lester]

Antennarius sanguineus Gill, 1863, the Bloody Frogfish
Eastern Pacific; Sea of Cortez to Peru, including Cocos and Galapagos Islands. To 8.2 cm., or about three inches long. Found tucked into rocky crevices on walls, resembling and found around sponges of varying colors. Galapagos pix.



Antennarius striatus, Striated Frogfish
Tropical West Atlantic and Indo-Pacific; South Africa to Japan and New Zealand, in mud or sand bottoms, often associated with sponges. To seven inches. Aquarium and N. Sulawesi photos. Distinguished from the similar appearing A. hispidus by its worm-like esca. Many pseudonyms (28) exist for this species, including A. scaber. Males with more tufts/camouflage than females.



Histrio histrio (Linnaeus 1758), the Sargassum Anglerfish, or if it were up to me
"The Incredible Eater Upper"... To only 13 cm. but able to eat most any animal near its length. Known from all tropical oceans, typically found "floating" in kelp canopies or bits that are broken off. Aquarium photos, first by RMF, second by Mike Giangrasso.



Bibliography/Further Reading:
Bavendam, Fred. 1998. Lure of the frogfish. National Geographic 7/98.

Emmens, C. W. 1985. Anglerfishes. TFH 10/85.

Freise, U. Erich. 1973. Anglerfishes. Marine Aquarist 4(5):73.

Goldstein, Robert J. 1987. The Frogfishes. With care, these are excellent tank fish. Pet Age 11/87.

Michael, Scott W. 1991. Commerson's Frogfish, Antennarius commersoni (Latrelle). FAMA 11/91.

Michael, Scott W. 1994. Anglin' fish. Fish that lure in their prey. AFM 9/94.

Michael, Scott W. 1995. Frogfishes: anglers of the reef. AFM 11/95.

Michael, Scott W. 1995. The frogfishes: species in the marine trade. AFM 12/95.

Molter, Ted. 1983. Antennarius scaber Cuvier. FAMA 1/83.

Pietsch, Theodore W. & David B. Grobecker. 1985. Frogfishes: aggressive mimics of the reef. FAMA 4/85.

Pietsch, Theodore W. & David B. Grobecker. 1987. Frogfishes of the World. Systematics, zoogeography, and behavioral ecology. Stanford Press. 420pp.

Severin, Kurt. 1960. The Angler among the fishes. TFH 1/60.

[fisheatme]

yay!

a frogfish thread!

GREAT job Lester!

[Lester]

yay!

a frogfish thread!

GREAT job Lester!

Thank You

cheers

[hbpencil]

Hi Bro Lester,

this is great info ... tx for your effort.

[Lester]

Hi Bro Lester,

this is great info ... tx for your effort.

Welcome


cheers
regards

Lester

[NavIgatoR]

tanx for sharing the info bro

[Lester]

tanx for sharing the info bro

hi bro ... how have you been ??? long tie no hear from you liao.... hows ur froggies doing ??? Do post some pics lei.. wanted to see ur froggies


cheers

[NavIgatoR]

hi bro ... how have you been ??? long tie no hear from you liao.... hows ur froggies doing ??? Do post some pics lei.. wanted to see ur froggies


cheers

Hi bro,im fine....been bz lately hahaha ......well i havent brought a new froggy yet waiting for the one who catch my attention hahah....man really miss my old froggy...may he R.I.P n oso i miss looking at ur froggy...damn nice hahak

[Lester]

Hi bro,im fine....been bz lately hahaha ......well i havent brought a new froggy yet waiting for the one who catch my attention hahah....man really miss my old froggy...may he R.I.P n oso i miss looking at ur froggy...damn nice hahak

hi ...

yap i agreed... i rem ur old froggiee ......
hehehe ... actually me going to setup another tank for the froggies ... but til now still dun have much bucks yet hehehee.. til then will post more pics of the warties for you k ..


cheers