Abantennarius sanguineus

The bloody frogfish, or sanguine frogfish (*Abantennarius sanguineus*), is a small marine ray-finned fish in the family Antennariidae. It inhabits the eastern Pacific Ocean, ranging from the Gulf of California down to Chile, including the Revillagigedos, Clipperton, Cocos, Malpelo, and Galapagos islands.

This species was first formally described in 1863 by American biologist Theodore Gill, who named it *Antennarius sanguineus* based on a specimen from Cape San Lucas in Baja California, Mexico. It is now placed in the genus *Abantennarius* within the suborder Antennarioidei of the order Lophiiformes (the anglerfishes). The genus name combines *ab* ("away from") with *antennarius*, referring to the gill opening’s position away from the base of the pectoral fin—unlike most frogfishes. The specific name *sanguineus* means "blood red," though the fish’s actual color is highly variable, ranging from yellow and brown to purple.

A small species, *A. sanguineus* reaches up to 8.2 cm (3.2 in) in length. Like other frogfishes, it has a globular, extensible body covered in soft skin with tiny dermal spinules. Its large, prognathous mouth can swallow prey as large as itself. Body coloration varies from yellow or yellow-brown to reddish, with brown spots and mottling; the underside bears dark spots, and an ocellus (eyespot) appears just before the caudal peduncle. The first dorsal spine is modified into a fishing rod called the illicium, tipped with a lure (esca) that resembles a small fish, featuring a cluster of dark swellings and long filaments. The pectoral fin is limb-like with an elbow joint and a broad connection to the body. The gill opening is located behind and below the pectoral fin base, and the rear edges of the dorsal and anal fins connect to the caudal peduncle.

This frogfish lives on rocky reef slopes, always near shelter such as holes or recesses, at depths up to 40 m (130 ft), with an average occurrence at 20 m (66 ft). It is a benthic, solitary predator. A voracious carnivore, it attacks any small animal—mainly fish, but occasionally even members of its own species—that comes within strike range, including prey nearly its own size. During mating, individuals gather but do not tolerate each other afterward; a male may kill or eat a female that stays too close.