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Bloody frogfish (Antennatus sanguineus) — Antennariidae

Bloody frogfish

Antennatus sanguineus
Family: Antennariidae

The Bloody frogfish (Antennatus sanguineus) is a fish of the family Antennariidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; rocky reefs and hard bottoms.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bloody frogfish is a frogfish (Antennariidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species has a globular body that is often red to red-brown, with skin irregularities that camouflage it among sponges and rocks, and modified pectoral fins with which it 'walks' over the bottom. It inhabits rocky reefs and hard bottoms. As an ambush hunter it lures prey within reach with a 'rod' bearing a lure and then swallows fishes and crustaceans in a flash. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bloody frogfish?

The Bloody frogfish is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern. Often camouflaged in red; lures prey with a rod and engulfs it at lightning speed.

Where does the Bloody frogfish live?

The Bloody frogfish is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; rocky reefs and hard bottoms.

How big does the Bloody frogfish get?

The Bloody frogfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Bloody frogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bloody frogfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bloody frogfish edible?

The Bloody frogfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Bloody frogfish (Antennatus sanguineus) — Antennariidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Victor Quintero F., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bloody frogfish (Antennatus sanguineus) — Antennariidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Carmelo López Abad, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bloody frogfish (Antennatus sanguineus) — Antennariidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Álvaro San José Elizundia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bloody frogfish (Antennatus sanguineus) — Antennariidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Guillermo Joaquin Martinez Mendoza, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bloody frogfish sourced
Scientific name
Antennatus sanguineus
Family
Antennariidae
Other names
Sanguine frogfish

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; rocky reefs and hard bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Often camouflaged in red; lures prey with a rod and engulfs it at lightning speed. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Antennatus

More from the family Antennariidae

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