Lophiocharon trisignatus

Lore & Background

Lophiocharon trisignatus was first formally described as Chironectes trisignatus by Scottish naval surgeon and naturalist John Richardson in the Ichthyology of the voyage of H.M.S. Erebus & Terror, with its type locality given as Broome, Western Australia. In 1933, Gilbert Percy Whitley described a new species, Lophiocharon broomensis, also from Broome, which he designated as the type species of a new monospecific genus, Lophiocharon; this is now considered a synonym of Richardson's C. trisignatus. Some authorities classify Lophiocharon in the subfamily Histiophryninae within Antennariidae, while others recognize it as the family Histiophrynidae, though the 5th edition of Fishes of the World does not recognize subfamilies within Antennariidae.

The genus name Lophiocharon is thought to combine Lophius (a general term for anglerfishes) with Charon, the ferryman of the dead. The specific name trisignatus means 'marked three times,' alluding to the three spots on the sides of some specimens. The species has the second and third dorsal spines free of the skin, all caudal fin rays bifurcate, and skin covered with dermal denticles. The illicium is long and naked, tipped with a large, complex esca. The fish lacks a caudal peduncle, and the rear margins of the dorsal and anal fins join the base of the outermost caudal fin rays. The pectoral fin lobe resembles an arm and is widely connected to the body.

Lophiocharon trisignatus is found in the Indo-Pacific region from Singapore east through Indonesia to the Philippines and south to Australia, where it ranges from Shark Bay in Western Australia north and east to Thursday Island in Queensland. It inhabits depths between 2 and 52 m, typically no deeper than 20 m, among coastal coral and rocky reefs, under wharf pilings, or amongst debris and rubble.

Reader's Guide

Lophiocharon trisignatus is significant as the largest of the three Lophiocharon anglerfishes, with a maximum standard length of 14.7 cm. Its taxonomy reflects historical uncertainty: originally described as Chironectes trisignatus by John Richardson, it later received a synonymous name, Lophiocharon broomensis, from Gilbert Percy Whitley. The classification of the genus remains disputed, with some authorities placing it in the subfamily Histiophryninae within Antennariidae, others in the family Histiophrynidae, and the 5th edition of Fishes of the World not recognizing subfamilies within Antennariidae. The species is solitary and uses its illicium and esca to lure small fish prey. It is an inefficient swimmer, moving via its limb-like pectoral fins. A notable biological feature is that the female lays a cluster of up to 650 large, round eggs (less than 3 mm in diameter), which the male broods by attaching to the side of his body; the egg cluster may also serve to attract prey. Its distribution spans the Indo-Pacific, from Singapore to Australia, in shallow coastal habitats. The species' common names—spot-tail anglerfish, rough anglerfish, and three-spot frogfish—reflect its distinctive markings and rough skin texture.

Did You Know?

• The male broods the egg cluster by attaching it to the side of his body; the cluster may contain up to 650 eggs.
• This species is the largest of the three Lophiocharon anglerfishes, reaching a maximum standard length of 14.7 cm.
• The illicium (fishing rod) is long and naked, tipped with a large and complex esca (lure).