Abantennarius bermudensis
A small ambush predator of Western Atlantic reefs.
The island frogfish (*Abantennarius bermudensis*) is a marine ray-finned fish from the family Antennariidae. It lives in the Western Atlantic Ocean.
This species was first described in 1957 by the American ichthyologist Leonard Peter Schultz, who named it *Antennarius bermudensis* based on a specimen from Hungry Bay in Paget County, Bermuda. In the 5th edition of *Fishes of the World*, it is placed in the genus *Abantennarius* within the family Antennariidae, suborder Antennarioidei, order Lophiiformes (the anglerfishes). The genus name *Abantennarius* combines *ab*, meaning "away from," with *antennarius*, a fish of the family Antennariidae, referring to the gill opening’s position away from the base of the pectoral fin—unlike most frogfishes. The specific name *bermudensis* means "of Bermuda," after the type locality.
The island frogfish has a subglobular, somewhat laterally compressed body. Its head lacks spines, and its large eyes sit on the sides. The upward-pointing mouth is filled with small, sharp teeth. The small, round gill opening is located under and behind the base of the pectoral fin. The illicium (fishing rod) is shorter than the second dorsal spine and ends in an elongated, tapering esca (lure) with filaments and dark swellings at its base. The second dorsal spine is markedly curved and not connected to the head by a membrane; the third dorsal spine is also movable and lacks a membrane connection. The pectoral fins are arm-like, with an elbow-like joint. The second dorsal fin has 12 soft rays, and the anal fin has 7 soft rays. Membranes connect the rear of the dorsal and anal fins to the caudal fin. The skin feels rough due to a dense covering of bifurcated spinules. Coloration is yellow, tan, or brown, with brown spots and mottles that may form irregular bars across the caudal fin. A dark eyespot sits on the upper body below the center of the second dorsal fin, and there may be 0 to 7 dark bars radiating from the eye. The maximum published standard length is 7.6 cm (3.0 in).
This species ranges from Bermuda in the north, through the Bahamas, off northwestern Cuba, in the Gulf of Mexico (Arrowsmith Bank off Mexico to Cuba), and around Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. It also occurs off the northern coast of South America from Colombia to Tobago. It inhabits reefs at depths of 4 to 30 m (13 to 98 ft).
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Abantennarius bermudensis
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The island frogfish was first formally described in 1957 by American ichthyologist Leonard Peter Schultz, with the type locality given as Hungry Bay in Paget County, Bermuda. Its genus name Abantennarius combines the prefix ab, meaning 'away from', with antennarius, referring to the gill opening being positioned away from the base of the pectoral fin, unlike typical frogfishes. The specific name bermudensis means 'of Bermuda', reflecting the type locality.
This species has a subglobular, laterally compressed body with a rough skin covered in bifurcated spinules. Its mouth points upward and contains small, sharp teeth. The illicium (fishing lure) is shorter than the second dorsal spine and bears an elongated, tapering esca with filaments and dark swellings at its base. The second dorsal spine is markedly curved and not connected to the head by a membrane; the third dorsal spine is also movable and lacks such a connection. The pectoral fins are arm-like with an elbow-like joint. The overall coloration is yellow, tan, or brown with brown spots and mottles, and a clear dark eyespot appears on the upper body beneath the center of the second dorsal fin. Dark bars may radiate from the eye, varying in number from 0 to 7.
The island frogfish is an ambush predator that crawls slowly along the substrate in rocky and coral reefs. It uses its illicium and esca to lure smaller fishes within striking range. Females are thought to lay more than 10,000 eggs. The biology and ecology of this species are poorly known.
Reader's Guide
Abantennarius bermudensis, the island frogfish, is a small but ecologically specialized member of the frogfish family Antennariidae. Its significance lies in its unique morphological adaptations for ambush predation, including a modified first dorsal spine (illicium) and a fleshy lure (esca) used to attract prey. The species' rough skin, bifurcated spinules, and elbow-like pectoral fins enable it to crawl over reef substrates. Its distribution spans the Western Atlantic from Bermuda to the northern coast of South America, including the Bahamas, Cuba, the Gulf of Mexico, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Tobago. The island frogfish inhabits reefs at depths between 4 and 30 meters. Despite its wide range, the species' biology and ecology remain poorly understood, highlighting a gap in knowledge about this cryptic predator. Its description in 1957 by Leonard Peter Schultz and its placement within the genus Abantennarius underscore ongoing taxonomic refinement within the frogfishes. The species' small maximum size of 7.6 cm and its reproductive output of over 10,000 eggs per female suggest a life history strategy common among small benthic fishes. The island frogfish serves as an example of the diverse and often overlooked biodiversity of Western Atlantic reef systems.
Did You Know?
- Its gill opening is located under and to the rear of the base of the pectoral fin, unlike most frogfishes.
- The species can have between 0 and 7 dark bars radiating from the eye.
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