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Eastern frogfish (Batrachomoeus dubius) — Batrachoididae

Eastern frogfish

Batrachomoeus dubius

The Eastern frogfish (Batrachomoeus dubius) is a brackish-water fish of the family Batrachoididae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Brackish
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Eastern frogfish is a toadfish (Batrachoididae) from coastal waters of eastern Australia. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a stocky body with a broad, flattened head, a large mouth and skin flaps. As a bottom-bound ambush hunter it lies hidden on sand and mud bottoms and engulfs passing prey; males make humming sounds in the breeding season to guard a nest. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eastern frogfish?

The Eastern frogfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Eastern frogfish live?

The Eastern frogfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Eastern frogfish get?

The Eastern frogfish grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Eastern frogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Eastern frogfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oostelijke padvis sourced
English name
Eastern frogfish sourced
Scientific name
Batrachomoeus dubius
Family
Batrachoididae
Other names
Brown frogfish; Dubious frogfish; Eastern frogfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Batrachomoeus

More from the family Batrachoididae

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