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Warty frogfish (Antennarius maculatus) — Antennariidae

Warty frogfish

Antennarius maculatus
Family: Antennariidae

The Warty frogfish (Antennarius maculatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Antennariidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–15.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The warty frogfish is a frogfish (Antennariidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky, warty body in vividly variable colours (white, yellow, orange or red with dark blotches) with which it mimics a toxic sponge. With its leg-like pectoral fins it 'walks' over the bottom and with a small rod on the head it lures prey to its huge, rapidly opening mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Warty frogfish?

The Warty frogfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Warty frogfish live?

The Warty frogfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Warty frogfish get?

The Warty frogfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Warty frogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Warty frogfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Clown-hengelaarsvis sourced
English name
Warty frogfish sourced
Scientific name
Antennarius maculatus
Family
Antennariidae
Other names
Largespotted angler; Wartskin frogfish; Warty anglerfish; Warty frogfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Antennarius

More from the family Antennariidae

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