Nudiantennarius
A monospecific frogfish genus with nearly naked skin and a deepwater habitat.
Nudiantennarius is a genus of marine ray-finned fish in the frogfish family Antennariidae that contains just one species: Nudiantennarius subteres, known as the deepwater frogfish. This fish lives in the western Pacific Ocean.
The genus was proposed in 1957 by American ichthyologist Leonard Peter Schultz, who designated *Antennarius subteres* as its only species. That species had first been described in 1912 by Hugh McCormick Smith and Lewis Radcliffe, with the type locality given as Lingayen Gulf in western Luzon, Philippines. In 2017, an unidentified frogfish from Lembeh was recognized as this species. Within the family, *Nudiantennarius* is most closely related to the sargassum fish (*Histrio histrio*). Some authorities place it in the subfamily Antennariinae, but the 5th edition of *Fishes of the World* does not recognize subfamilies within Antennariidae, instead classifying the family in the suborder Antennarioidei within the order Lophiiformes (the anglerfishes).
The genus name *Nudiantennarius* combines *nudus* (meaning "naked" or "bare") with *Antennarius*, the type genus of frogfishes. This refers to the fish’s seemingly naked skin, which has only a scattering of small spinules embedded in the head and body. The species name *subteres* joins *sub* ("less than") with *teres* ("cylindrical" or "tapering," as in "terete"); the authors did not explain the reference, but it is thought to allude to the body shape.
*Nudiantennarius* differs from other frogfishes by having very few bifurcate dermal spinules in the skin—so few that the body looks naked. Each spinule is no longer than the distance between its tips. The first dorsal spine (the illicium) has a distinct lure (esca) and is bare of spinules. The illicium is about half the length of the second dorsal spine, which is unusually long and slender compared to other frogfishes, and is not connected to the head skin by a posterior membrane. The pectoral fin lobe is thin and somewhat separated from the body. The species has a caudal peduncle, and the rear margins of the dorsal and anal fins attach just in front of the outer rays of the caudal fin. The dorsal fin has 12 soft rays, the anal fin 7. There is typically at least one large ocellus on the base of the dorsal fin. The esca is small, round, with short filaments, and fits into a thin groove beside the second dorsal spine.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Nudiantennarius subteres
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Nudiantennarius was first proposed as a genus in 1957 by American ichthyologist Leonard Peter Schultz, who designated Antennarius subteres as its type and only species. The species had originally been formally described in 1912 by Hugh McCormick Smith and Lewis Radcliffe, with the type locality given as Lingayen Gulf in western Luzon, Philippines. An unidentified frogfish from Lembeh was identified as this species in 2017. Within the family Antennariidae, this taxon has been found to be most closely related to the sargassum fish (Histrio histrio). Some authorities classify it in the subfamily Antennariinae, though the 5th edition of Fishes of the World does not recognize subfamilies within Antennariidae, placing the family in the suborder Antennarioidei within the order Lophiiformes.
Reader's Guide
The deepwater frogfish is distinguished from other frogfishes by its reduced number of bifurcate dermal spinules, so few that the body appears naked. The illicium (first dorsal spine) has a distinct esca (lure) and is naked without spinules, and is about half the length of the unusually long second dorsal spine. The pectoral fin lobe is thin and somewhat separated from the sides. The species has a caudal peduncle, and the rear margins of the dorsal and anal fins attach just in front of the outer caudal fin rays. The dorsal fin has 12 soft rays, the anal fin 7, and there is typically at least one large ocellus on the base of the dorsal fin. The esca is small, round, with short filaments, fitting into a thin groove beside the second dorsal spine. The maximum published standard length is 7.5 cm. The species is found in the Western Pacific Ocean in the Philippines, Indonesia, and off Japan, inhabiting depths between 3 and 128 m. It is usually encountered on substrates of brown or black sand, silt, or mud, sometimes with soft coral, gorgonians, or sponges, but very few hard corals. It has also been found on pier pilings, among seaweed, and in areas with leaf litter and refuse near human habitation. Dark-colored individuals are most numerous on coarse sand or gravel with green algae at depths of 4–20 m, while lighter, more colorful individuals are typically associated with small sponges at depths of 12–30 m. This is an oviparous species.
Did You Know?
- The genus name Nudiantennarius combines Latin nudus ('naked') with Antennarius, referring to the species' nearly naked skin with only scattered spinules.
- The specific name subteres means 'less than cylindrical,' thought to allude to the body shape.
- The deepwater frogfish has a maximum published standard length of only 7.5 cm (3.0 in).
- This species is most commonly observed on night dives off Bali.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nudiantennarius?
Nudiantennarius is a monospecific genus of marine ray-finned fish in the frogfish family Antennariidae, set apart by its nearly bare skin and a deepwater lifestyle.
What species belongs to the genus Nudiantennarius?
The sole member is Nudiantennarius subteres, the deepwater frogfish, originally described in 1912 by Hugh McCormick Smith and Lewis Radcliffe under the name Antennarius subteres.
Where can the deepwater frogfish be found?
This species is native to the western Pacific Ocean, with its type locality at Lingayen Gulf in western Luzon, Philippines, and a 2017 recognition of an additional specimen from Lembeh.
Who established Nudiantennarius as its own genus?
American ichthyologist Leonard Peter Schultz erected the genus in 1957, transferring the single species out of Antennarius into its own taxonomic group.
How large does Nudiantennarius subteres grow?
At a maximum standard length of roughly 7.5 centimeters, the deepwater frogfish remains a small, compact member of the Antennariidae.
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