Longlure frogfish
A sponge-mimicking ambush predator of the western Atlantic.
The longlure frogfish (Antennarius multiocellatus), also called the flagpole frogfish, is a marine ray-finned fish in the Antennariidae family. It lives in the western Atlantic and blends in with its sponge surroundings.
First described in 1837 by French zoologist Achille Valenciennes as *Chironectes multiocellatus*, with Havana as the type locality, it belongs to the *pictus* species group within the genus *Antennarius*. The 5th edition of *Fishes of the World* places this genus in the family Antennariidae, suborder Antennarioidei, order Lophiiformes (the anglerfishes).
The genus name *Antennarius* comes from *antenna* plus the suffix *-ius*, referring to the first dorsal spine modified into a snout tentacle used as a lure. The species name *multiocellatus* combines *multi* ("many") with *ocellatus* ("eyespot"), pointing to the many eye-like spots on its sides.
This bottom-dwelling fish mimics sponges by adjusting its body color to match the dominant sponge in its area. Its multiple ocelli resemble sponge openings. It uses stalked pectoral fins and pelvic fins to slowly "walk" along the bottom. Frogfishes can inflate themselves by filling their stomachs with air or water. It is solitary, found in small populations, is the most common frogfish in the West Indies, and is harmless to humans.
The body is short, fat, and globular, with thick skin covered in prickly dermal spicules that look like toad warts. It has small eyes, a large upward-directed mouth, and stalked pectoral fins. Gill openings are tiny and behind the pectoral fins. Base color varies widely—pale yellow, bright red, dark green, or reddish brown—with black spots always present. There is also a phase where the body is entirely black except for white fin tips and a pale saddle-like area on the back. The second and third dorsal spines are separate and thick-skinned. Maximum total length is 20 cm (7.9 in).
Its range spans the western Atlantic from Bermuda, the Bahamas, and eastern Florida; in the Gulf of Mexico from the Florida Keys, Flower Garden Banks, Tuxpan, and along the Yucatán Peninsula to Cuba; throughout the Caribbean; along South America to Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; and around Fernando de Noronha and east to Ascension Island. It lives at depths of 0 to 66 m (0 to 217 ft) on shallow reefs, especially where sponges are present.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Antennarius multiocellatus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The longlure frogfish was first formally described as Chironectes multiocellatus in 1837 by the French zoologist Achille Valenciennes, with its type locality given as Havana. Within the genus Antennarius, it belongs to the pictus species group. The genus name Antennarius suffixes -ius to antenna, alluding to the first dorsal spine being adapted into a tentacle used as a lure. The specific name multiocellatus combines multi, meaning 'many', with ocellatus, meaning ocellus or eyespot, referring to the many eye-like spots on the flanks.
This bottom-dwelling frogfish mimics surrounding sponges by varying its background hue to match the dominant sponge in the area. It also has multiple ocellii that look like sponge openings. It uses its stalked pectoral fins and pelvic fins to slowly 'walk' across the bottom. Frogfishes have been observed inflating themselves by filling their stomachs with air or water. It is a solitary species found in small populations, and is the most common frogfish species in the West Indies, harmless to humans.
The longlure frogfish has a short, fat, globular body with thick skin covered in dermal spicules that resemble toad warts. Its small eyes, very large upward-directed mouth, and stalked pectoral fins are distinctive. The gill openings are very small and located behind the pectoral fins. Basic color is highly variable, from pale yellow to bright red or dark green to reddish brown, with black spots scattered across the body. It also has a phase where the body is completely black except for white ends of paired fins and a pale saddle-like area on the back.
Reader's Guide
The longlure frogfish is significant as a master of camouflage, mimicking sponges both in color and in the eye-like markings that resemble sponge openings. Its elongated illicium, or 'long lure,' gives the species its common name and is used to attract prey. As an ambush predator, it feeds mainly on fishes, crabs, and mantis shrimp, and can swallow prey larger than itself. The frogfish will move to a different location if no fish are biting, similar to a recreational human angler. Frogfishes are reported to be the fastest animal alive, able to move and suck in prey at speeds as quick as 0.006 seconds, captured only by high-speed film. Its reproductive strategy involves spawning eggs encapsulated in a buoyant mucus 'egg raft,' which may transport eggs over large distances. Spawning can be dangerous due to cannibalism; the male and female march across the bottom before dashing to the surface to release the egg mass. The species is found from Bermuda and the Bahamas to Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea and Ascension Island, on shallow reefs with sponges at depths up to 66 meters.
Did You Know?
- The longlure frogfish can inflate itself by filling its stomach with air or water.
- It is capable of swallowing prey larger than itself.
- Frogfishes are reported to be the fastest animal alive, with prey capture in as little as 0.006 seconds.
- The species spawns eggs in a buoyant mucus 'egg raft' that may travel long distances.
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