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Brackish-water frogfish (Antennarius biocellatus) — Antennariidae

Brackish-water frogfish

Antennarius biocellatus
Family: Antennariidae

The Brackish-water frogfish (Antennarius biocellatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Antennariidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and others

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Description

The brackish-water frogfish is a frogfish (Antennariidae) from estuaries and river mouths of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 14 cm and has a stocky, lumpy body with a variable skin colour and usually two eyespots on the flank; on its head it carries a small rod with a lure. As a motionless ambush hunter it wiggles the rod and engulfs passing prey. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brackish-water frogfish?

The Brackish-water frogfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Brackish-water frogfish live?

The Brackish-water frogfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and others

How big does the Brackish-water frogfish get?

The Brackish-water frogfish grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Brackish-water frogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Brackish-water frogfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Brackish-water frogfish (Antennarius biocellatus) — Antennariidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) ychuang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Brackish-water frogfish (Antennarius biocellatus) — Antennariidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Joseph Stansbury Rosin (CC0)
Brackish-water frogfish (Antennarius biocellatus) — Antennariidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvain Le Bris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Brackish-water frogfish (Antennarius biocellatus) — Antennariidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Joseph Stansbury Rosin (CC0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Brackish-water frogfish sourced
Scientific name
Antennarius biocellatus
Family
Antennariidae
Other names
Brackish-water anglerfish; Brackishwater frogfish; Brackish-water frogfish; Fishing frog; Toadfish; Brackish water anglerfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. 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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