Home · Antennariidae · Senegal frogfish
Senegal frogfish (Fowlerichthys senegalensis) — Antennariidae

Senegal frogfish

Fowlerichthys senegalensis
Family: Antennariidae
LC · Least Concern

The Senegal frogfish (Fowlerichthys senegalensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Antennariidae that grows up to 29 cm.

Length
28.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–80.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Senegal frogfish is a stocky anglerfish of the family Antennariidae (frogfishes) reaching about 29 cm. The globose body has a warty, blotched skin giving excellent camouflage, and limb-like pectoral and pelvic fins with which the fish slowly 'walks' over the bottom rather than swimming. The first dorsal ray is modified into a movable rod with a lure (illicium), with which it draws curious prey just in front of the hugely expandable mouth and then engulfs it in a flash. The species lives over sand and mud bottoms and near reef of coastal water along the West African coast. Because of its camouflage and slow lifestyle it is only rarely noticed.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Senegal frogfish?

The Senegal frogfish has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Senegal frogfish live?

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

How big does the Senegal frogfish get?

The Senegal frogfish grows to a maximum of about 29 cm.

Is the Senegal frogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Senegal frogfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Senegal frogfish edible?

The Senegal frogfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Senegalese hengelaarsvis inferred
English name
Senegal frogfish verified
Scientific name
Fowlerichthys senegalensis
Family
Antennariidae
Other names
Senegalese frogfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.5 verified
Body shape
Irregular verified
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
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 Fowlerichthys

More from the family Antennariidae

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