Fowlerichthys scriptissimus
A scripted frogfish first recorded in Korean waters in 2012.
Fowlerichthys scriptissimus, also called the calico frogfish or scripted frogfish, belongs to the family Antennariidae. This fish lives in the Indo-West Pacific, occupying rocky parts of coastal coral reefs at depths between 73 and 185 meters (240 to 607 feet). It is an oviparous species that grows to at least 28 centimeters (11 inches) in standard length, and may exceed that size. On March 28, 2012, a specimen measuring 29.1 centimeters (11.5 inches) SL was caught off Jejudo, which was the first time the species was documented in Korean waters.
The species was originally described as *Antennarius scriptissimus* in 1907 by American ichthyologist David Starr Jordan, with the type locality given as the Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. According to the 5th edition of *Fishes of the World*, the genus *Fowlerichthys* is placed in the family Antennariidae, within the suborder Antennarioidei of the order Lophiiformes (the anglerfishes).
The genus name *Fowlerichthys* honors American ichthyologist Henry Weed Fowler of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, who provided the type specimen of the genus’s type species, *F. floridanus*, to Barbour; *ichthys* means “fish.” The specific name *scriptissimus* translates to “written all over,” referring to the fish’s markings, which Jordan described as being “everywhere covered with narrow straightish, parallel, dark brown lines running in different directions on different parts of the body.”
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Fowlerichthys scriptissimus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Fowlerichthys scriptissimus was first formally described as Antennarius scriptissimus in 1907 by American ichthyologist David Starr Jordan, with its type locality given as the Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The 5th edition of Fishes of the World classifies the genus Fowlerichthys in the family Antennariidae within the suborder Antennarioidei of the order Lophiiformes, the anglerfishes. The species is native to the Indo-West Pacific, where it occurs in rocky areas of coastal coral reefs at depths of 73 to 185 m (240 to 607 ft). It is an oviparous species that reaches and reportedly may exceed 28 cm (11 in) SL. On March 28, 2012, an individual measuring 29.1 cm (11.5 in) SL was collected off the coast of Jejudo, marking the first record of this species from Korean waters.
Reader's Guide
The significance of Fowlerichthys scriptissimus lies in its taxonomic history and its range extension documented by a single specimen. Described in 1907 by David Starr Jordan, the species was originally placed in the genus Antennarius. Its current classification places it in the genus Fowlerichthys, named in honor of Henry Weed Fowler, who provided the type specimen for the genus type species. The specific name scriptissimus, meaning 'written all over,' refers to the fish's markings described as narrow, straightish, parallel dark brown lines running in different directions on different parts of the body. The 2012 collection off Jejudo represents the first confirmed occurrence of this species in Korean waters, extending its known distribution. This record, based on a specimen slightly larger than the reported maximum size, underscores the value of continued survey work in the region. The species remains known from rocky coral reef habitats in the Indo-West Pacific at moderate depths.
Did You Know?
- The specific name scriptissimus means 'written all over,' referencing the fish's dark brown lines.
- The first record of this species from Korean waters was on March 28, 2012, off Jejudo.
- The type locality is the Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
- It is an oviparous species that reaches and may exceed 28 cm SL.
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