Tuberculated frogfish (Antennatus tuberosus)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from FishBase, occurrence map from GBIF, conservation from IUCN Red List, description from Wikipedia.
Antennatus tuberosus, the tuberculate anglerfish, pygmy angler, pygmy frogfish or tuberculated frogfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Antennariidae, the frogfishes. This fish is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
- Scientific name
- Antennatus tuberosus
- Authority
- (Cuvier, 1817)
- Family
- Antennariidae
- Order
- Lophiiformes
- Maximum length
- 9 cm
- Depth range
- 0–73 m
- Habitat zone
- reef-associated
- Iucn red list
- Least Concern
- Gbif occurrence records
- 295
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Lophiiformes · Family: Antennariidae · Genus: Antennatus.
Accepted name: Antennatus tuberosus · Authority: (Cuvier, 1817) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 217855.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Antennarius bigibbus Commerson, 1798; Antennarius tuberosus (Cuvier, 1817); Antennarius unicornis Bennett, 1827; Chironectes reticulatus Eydoux & Souleyet, 1850; Chironectes tuberosus Cuvier, 1817; Lophius bigibbus Latreille, 1804.
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217855 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Biology and life history (FishBase)
Measured values published by FishBase for Antennatus tuberosus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Maximum length: 9 cm · Depth range: 0–73 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: of no interest · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.
FishBase notes: Benthic species (Ref. 58302, 75154) found in inshore coral reef (Ref. 75154). The average depth for all known captures was 11.2 m. Individuals maintained in experimental aquaria change in color from dark gray to light cream within 2 weeks. Oviparous. Eggs are bound in ribbon-like sheath or mass of gelatinous mucus called 'egg raft' or 'veil' (Ref. 6773). Solitary and sometimes among hard coral branches (Ref 90102).
Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 11150) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Antennatus-tuberosus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
295 georeferenced occurrence records for Antennatus tuberosus are published through GBIF from 22 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 77 distinct locations from a sample of 295 records, omitting 7 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.
Most records by country or area: United States of America (160); French Polynesia (45); Philippines (15); New Caledonia (9); Papua New Guinea (8); Marshall Islands (7); Indonesia (6); Mauritius (6); Micronesia (Federated States of) (5); Comoros (5); South Africa (5); Australia (4); Fiji (3); Japan (3); Réunion (3).
Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Aldabra; Mozambican Exclusive Economic Zone; Madagascar; Mauritian Exclusive Economic Zone; Comoran Exclusive Economic Zone; Kenyan Exclusive Economic Zone; Seychellois Exclusive Economic Zone; South Africa (country); Chagos.
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2414503) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2414503&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=217855 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Conservation status (IUCN Red List)
The IUCN Red List assesses Antennatus tuberosus (Cuvier, 1817) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.
Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 67970238) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/67970238/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2414503) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2414503/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.
Description and natural history (Wikipedia)
Antennatus tuberosus was first formally described Chironectes tuberosus in 1807 by the French zoologist Georges Cuvier with its type locality given as Mauritius. The 5th edition of Fishes of the World classifies the genus Antennatus in the family Antennariidae within the suborder Antennarioidei within the order Lophiiformes, the anglerfishes.
Antennatus tuberosus has the genus name Antennatus is derived from "given an antenna", an allusion to first dorsal spine being adapted into a tentacle on the snout used as a lure to attract prey. The specific name, tuberosus, means "covered with lumps or tumours", assumed to be a reference to row of bumps above the eye and along the back.
Antennatus tuberosus has a long illicium, which is 50 to 100% longer than the second dorsal spine, which tapers to a simple filamentous esca, or lure. The second dorsal spine is a cylinder while the third spine is enclosed in a bump in the skin. There is no caudal peduncle. There are no scales in the skin but the skin is thick and firm and has a dense covering of bifurcated spinules. The limb-like pectoral fins has a joint resembling an elbow. The rear of the dorsal and anal fins are connected to the upper rays of the caudal fin. The colour of the body varies but is normally cream, yellow, or slate grey, with dark-brown reticulations and marbling. The head has a whitish, crusty pattern on face. The anal and caudal fins have an obvious dark-brown band and dark bands on the marguins. This species has a maximum published standard length of 9 cm.
Antennatus tuberosus is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans from Mozambique and Madagascar east to Hawaii and the Pitcairn Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to New Caledonia and Tonga. In Australia on the northern Great Barrier Reef. This species is found at depths down to 73 m on onshore coral reefs.
Antennatus tuberosus is an ambush predator that lies in wait, camouflaged in the reef and uses the illicium to lure prey within striking range of the large mouth. This is a solitary species that is often found on the branches of branched corals, It is oviparous, the females lay eggs in ribbon-like gelatinous masses called egg rafts or veils which float.
Antennatus tuberosus is occasionally collected for the aquarium trade.
Source: Wikipedia: Antennatus tuberosus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antennatus_tuberosus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tuberculated frogfish?
Antennatus tuberosus is a tiny marine frogfish in the family Antennariidae, also commonly called the pygmy angler or tuberculate anglerfish. It is a ray-finned species native to warm waters across the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
How big does Antennatus tuberosus grow?
This species tops out at roughly 9 cm (about 3.5 inches) in total length, making it one of the smallest members of the frogfish family. Its compact, bumpy body is well suited to blending in among coral rubble and reef debris.
Where and at what depth can you find the Tuberculated frogfish?
It inhabits the Indian and Pacific Oceans, typically on shallow reef and coastal substrates. Its recorded depth range spans from the surface down to about 73 meters, though it is most often encountered in the upper, sunlit zone.
What makes the Tuberculated frogfish distinct from other frogfishes?
Its skin is covered in prominent tubercles (bumps), giving it a rougher, more granular texture than the smoother-bodied relatives in Antennariidae. Combined with its notably small size, these traits help it mimic surrounding coral and sponge fragments while it ambushes small prey.
Who first described Antennatus tuberosus and when?
The species was originally named by the French naturalist Georges Cuvier in 1817, making it one of the earlier-described members of the frogfish group. Its taxonomy has since been confirmed through modern references such as WoRMS and FishBase.
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