Antennatus strigatus
A small, globose frogfish with dark streaks and a lure-like dorsal spine.
The bandtail frogfish (Antennatus strigatus) is a marine ray-finned fish in the family Antennariidae, found in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
This species was first formally described in 1863 by Theodore Gill as *Antennarius strigatus*, based on a specimen from Cape San Lucas, Baja California. In 1957, Leonard Peter Schultz made it the type species of a new genus, *Antennatus*. The genus name means "given an antenna," referring to the first dorsal spine, which is modified into a snout tentacle used as a lure. The species name *strigatus* means "streaked" or "striped," describing the irregular dark streaks on the body.
The body is slightly compressed and nearly globose, with a large, upward-pointing mouth. The illicium (the lure stalk) lacks spinules, is about as long as the second dorsal spine, tapers to a point, and has a small, lobe-like esca (the lure tip). The second dorsal spine is straight and not embedded in skin, while the third dorsal spine points upward, is immobile, and is encased in a skin protuberance. The pectoral fins are limb-like with an elbow joint and a broad connection to the body. Small, round gill openings sit below and behind the pectoral fin base. There is no caudal peduncle; the dorsal and anal fins join the body at the base of the caudal fin. The skin feels rough due to a dense covering of forked spicules grouped into wart-like structures. Coloration varies from yellowish to pinkish red, with dark brown to blackish streaks and lines; some individuals are almost entirely yellow. The maximum standard length is 8 cm (3.1 in).
This frogfish occurs in the central eastern Pacific, from the central Gulf of California south to Ecuador, including the Revillagigedo Islands, Cocos Island, Malpelo Island, and the Galapagos Islands. It lives at depths from 0 to 38 m (0 to 125 ft), though typically shallower than 15 m (49 ft), in small crevices on rocky reefs, especially vertical walls.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Antennatus strigatus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Antennatus strigatus was first formally described as Antennarius strigatus in 1863 by the American biologist Theodore Gill, with its type locality given as Cape San Lucas in Baja California. In 1957, Leonard Peter Schultz designated this species as the type species of the new genus Antennatus. The 5th edition of Fishes of the World classifies the genus Antennatus in the family Antennariidae within the suborder Antennarioidei within the order Lophiiformes, the anglerfishes.
The genus name Antennatus is derived from 'given an antenna', an allusion to the first dorsal spine being adapted into a tentacle on the snout used as a lure to attract prey. The species epithet, strigatus, means 'streaked' or 'striped', a reference to the irregular dark streaks on this species.
Antennatus strigatus has a slightly compressed, rather globose body with a large upward-pointing mouth. The illicium lacks spinules and is roughly equal in length to the second dorsal spine, tapering to a point with a small, lobe-like esca. The second dorsal spine is straight and free of the skin on the head, while the third dorsal spine is upward pointing, immobile, and encased in a protuberance within the skin. The pectoral fins resemble limbs with an elbow-like joint and have a broad connection to the body. The skin is rough with a dense covering of bifurcated spicules grouped in wart-like structures. Overall color varies from yellowish to pinkish red with dark brown to blackish streaks and lines; some individuals may be almost entirely yellow.
Reader's Guide
Antennatus strigatus is a small frogfish species found in the central eastern Pacific, from the central Gulf of California south to Ecuador, including the Revillagigedo Islands, Cocos Island, Malpelo Island, and the Galapagos Islands. It inhabits small crevices in rocky reefs, particularly in vertical walls, at depths between 0 and 38 meters, though it is not normally found deeper than 15 meters. The species is notable for its variable coloration, ranging from yellowish to pinkish red with dark streaks, and for its use of a modified dorsal spine as a lure to attract prey. Its rough skin, covered in bifurcated spicules grouped in wart-like structures, distinguishes it from other frogfishes. The species was originally described as Antennarius strigatus by Theodore Gill in 1863 and later designated as the type species of the genus Antennatus by Leonard Peter Schultz in 1957. Its maximum published standard length is 8 cm, making it a relatively small member of the Antennariidae family.
Did You Know?
- The species epithet strigatus means 'streaked' or 'striped', referring to its irregular dark streaks.
- The skin is rough to the touch due to a dense covering of bifurcated spicules grouped in wart-like structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Antennatus strigatus?
The bandtail frogfish is a small, round-bodied ambush predator from the eastern Pacific, originally named by Theodore Gill in 1863 from a specimen pulled up near Cape San Lucas, Baja California. It later became the anchor species for the genus Antennatus when Leonard Peter Schultz formalized that genus in 1957.
What are Antennatus strigatus's powers/role?
Its signature 'power' is the first dorsal spine, which is reshaped into a wiggling snout tentacle it dangles in front of prey to draw them close. Combined with its irregular dark streaking, this lets it sit motionless on the seafloor and strike at passing fish and invertebrates.
Why is Antennatus strigatus important?
As the type species of Antennatus, it is the single fish against which every other member of that genus is formally compared, making it the linchpin of the group's nomenclature. Its two-part name also encodes the genus's defining traits: 'Antennatus' nods to the antenna-like lure spine, and 'strigatus' captures the streaked coloration.
Where can you find Antennatus strigatus?
It ranges across the eastern Pacific Ocean, typically hovering between the surface and roughly 38 meters, though most sightings cluster shallower than 15 meters. Its original type locality remains Cape San Lucas at the tip of Baja California.
More in Frogfish and Dragonets, Part 2 1-24
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