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Doublefin frogfish (Tetrabrachium ocellatum) — Tetrabrachiidae

Doublefin frogfish

Tetrabrachium ocellatum

The Doublefin frogfish (Tetrabrachium ocellatum) is a saltwater fish of the family Tetrabrachiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–51.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea

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Description

The doublefin frogfish is an unusual frogfish (Tetrabrachiidae) from coastal waters of the western Pacific, off northern Australia and New Guinea. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a flattened, warty-skinned body and a pectoral fin divided in two. As a bottom-dweller it crawls over sand and mud bottoms with its leg-like pectoral fins and lures small prey with a tiny rod. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Doublefin frogfish?

The Doublefin frogfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Doublefin frogfish live?

The Doublefin frogfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea

How big does the Doublefin frogfish get?

The Doublefin frogfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Doublefin frogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Doublefin 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

Doublefin frogfish (Tetrabrachium ocellatum) — Tetrabrachiidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — C. Wyville Thomson (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Doublefin frogfish sourced
Scientific name
Tetrabrachium ocellatum
Family
Tetrabrachiidae
Other names
Four-armed frogfish; Humpback anglerfish; Humpback frogfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
51.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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
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