Home · Antennariidae · Big-eyed frogfish
Big-eyed frogfish (Fowlerichthys radiosus) — Antennariidae

Big-eyed frogfish

Fowlerichthys radiosus
Family: Antennariidae
LC · Least Concern

The Big-eyed frogfish (Fowlerichthys radiosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Antennariidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–275.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The singlespot frogfish is an anglerfish (family Antennariidae) of the western Atlantic. The species reaches about 9 cm and has a stocky, irregularly shaped, brownish body with rough skin and a large, upward-directed mouth. It inhabits offshore banks and deeper shelf waters. As an ambush predator it lures prey with a rod-like lure (illicium) derived from the first dorsal spine, then engulfs fishes and crustaceans in a fraction of a second. With its leg-like pectoral fins it can 'walk' over the bottom. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Big-eyed frogfish?

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

Where does the Big-eyed frogfish live?

The Big-eyed frogfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Big-eyed frogfish get?

The Big-eyed frogfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Big-eyed frogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Big-eyed frogfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Big-eyed frogfish edible?

The Big-eyed frogfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Eenvlek-hengelaarsvis sourced
English name
Big-eyed frogfish verified
Scientific name
Fowlerichthys radiosus
Family
Antennariidae
Other names
Frogfish; Singlespot frogfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.4 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
275.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Fowlerichthys

More from the family Antennariidae

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