Indian frogfish
A frogfish with a leaf-like lure, found in the Indian Ocean.
The Indian frogfish (Antennarius indicus) is a marine ray-finned fish in the frogfish family Antennariidae, native to the Indian Ocean. Its first dorsal spine is modified into a snout tentacle used as a lure to attract prey. The species was formally described in 1964 by American ichthyologist Leonard Peter Schultz, with the type locality designated as Vizagapatam, India. Its genus name, *Antennarius*, combines *antenna* with the suffix *-ius*, referring to this fishing lure; the specific name *indicus* points to its Indian type locality. Within the genus, it belongs to the *striatus* species group, and in the 5th edition of *Fishes of the World*, it is classified under the family Antennariidae, suborder Antennarioidei, order Lophiiformes (the anglerfishes).
The fish has an illicium (the modified spine) roughly as long as the second dorsal spine, tipped with an esca (lure) made of leaf-like appendages. Its dorsal fin contains 12 soft rays, and its anal fin has 7 soft rays. In life, its body is tawny to brown, with dark brown to black bars on the fins that may interconnect and form stripes when the fins are folded. There are two or three pale-margined ocelli: one below the dorsal fin base, one above and behind the pectoral fin base, and another near the anal fin base. Preserved specimens appear beige with pale fins and dark mottling. The maximum recorded total length is 23 cm (9.1 in).
The Indian frogfish occurs in the western Indian Ocean, from the Gulf of Aden south to northern Mozambique, and east to southeastern India and Sri Lanka, including the Seychelles and Lakshadweep. It inhabits sandy and muddy areas near coral reefs and algal beds at depths between 0 and 30 meters (0 to 98 feet).
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Antennarius indicus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Antennarius indicus was first formally described in 1964 by the American ichthyologist Leonard Peter Schultz, with its type locality given as Vizagapatam in India. Within the genus Antennarius, it belongs to the striatus species group. The 5th edition of Fishes of the World classifies the genus Antennarius in the family Antennariidae within the suborder Antennarioidei of the order Lophiiformes, the anglerfishes.
The genus name Antennarius suffixes -ius to antenna, alluding to the first dorsal spine being adapted into a tentacle on the snout used as a lure to attract prey. The specific name indicus refers to the type locality in India. The Indian frogfish has an illicium roughly equal in length to the second dorsal spine, with an esca made up of leaf-like appendages. In life, the body is tawny to brown marked with dark brown to black bars on the fins, which may interconnect and form stripes when the fins are folded. There are two or three obvious pale-margined ocelli: one below the base of the dorsal fin, one above and to the rear of the base of the pectoral fin, and the other close to the base of the anal fin. Preserved specimens may be beige with pale fins and dark mottling.
Reader's Guide
The Indian frogfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Antennariidae, found in the western Indian Ocean from the Gulf of Aden south to northern Mozambique, east to southeastern India and Sri Lanka, including the Seychelles and Lakshadweep. It inhabits sandy and muddy habitats close to coral reefs and algal beds at depths between 0 and 30 meters. Its maximum published total length is 23 cm. The species is notable for its use of a modified first dorsal spine as a lure, with a leaf-like esca, to attract prey. The body coloration—tawny to brown with dark bars and pale-margined ocelli—may aid in camouflage or mimicry. The species was described in 1964 by Leonard Peter Schultz, and its specific name indicus references its type locality in India. Within the genus Antennarius, it is placed in the striatus species group. The classification follows the 5th edition of Fishes of the World, which places Antennarius in the family Antennariidae within the suborder Antennarioidei of the order Lophiiformes.
Did You Know?
- Its esca, or lure, is made up of leaf-like appendages.
- The species has a maximum published total length of 23 cm.
- It is found in sandy and muddy habitats close to coral reefs and algal beds at depths of 0 to 30 m.
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