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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
0–10 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 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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

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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