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Eastern frogfish (Batrachomoeus dubius) — Batrachoididae

Eastern frogfish

Batrachomoeus dubius

The Eastern frogfish (Batrachomoeus dubius) is a brackish-water fish of the family Batrachoididae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Brackish
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The Eastern frogfish is a toadfish (Batrachoididae) from coastal waters of eastern Australia. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a stocky body with a broad, flattened head, a large mouth and skin flaps. As a bottom-bound ambush hunter it lies hidden on sand and mud bottoms and engulfs passing prey; males make humming sounds in the breeding season to guard a nest. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eastern frogfish?

The Eastern frogfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Eastern frogfish live?

The Eastern frogfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Eastern frogfish get?

The Eastern frogfish grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Eastern frogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Eastern 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

Eastern frogfish (Batrachomoeus dubius) — Batrachoididae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Marine Explorer (Dr John Turnbull), some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Eastern frogfish (Batrachomoeus dubius) — Batrachoididae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Peter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Eastern frogfish (Batrachomoeus dubius) — Batrachoididae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Erik Schlögl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Eastern frogfish (Batrachomoeus dubius) — Batrachoididae — 5
Harry Rosenthal (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Eastern frogfish sourced
Scientific name
Batrachomoeus dubius
Family
Batrachoididae
Other names
Brown frogfish; Dubious frogfish; Eastern frogfish; Blotchtail toadfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal 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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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

Same genus Batrachomoeus

More from the family Batrachoididae

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