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Giant frogfish (Antennarius commerson) — Antennariidae

Giant frogfish

Antennarius commerson
Family: Antennariidae

The Giant frogfish (Antennarius commerson) is a saltwater fish of the family Antennariidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–70.0 m
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The giant frogfish is a large frogfish (Antennariidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 45 cm and has a stocky, lumpy body with skin warts; the colour is highly variable, from yellow and orange to black, matching sponges and coral. On its head it carries a rod with a lure. As a motionless ambush hunter it lures prey and engulfs it at lightning speed with its enormous mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Giant frogfish?

The Giant frogfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Giant frogfish live?

The Giant frogfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Giant frogfish get?

The Giant frogfish grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Giant frogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Giant frogfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Reuzen-hengelaarsvis sourced
English name
Giant frogfish sourced
Scientific name
Antennarius commerson
Family
Antennariidae
Other names
Black angler; Black fishing frog; Commerson's frogfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
70.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Antennarius

More from the family Antennariidae

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