Butler's frogfish (Tathicarpus butleri)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from FishBase, occurrence map from GBIF, description from Wikipedia.
Butler's frogfish, Butler's anglerfish or the blackspot anglerfish (Tathicarpus butleri), is a rare species of marine ray-finned fish, the only member of the subfamily Tathicarpinae of the family Antennariidae, the frogfishes. The only member of its genus, this species is the most derived member of its family and represents a separate lineage from all other frogfishes. It was previously thought to be the only member of the family Tathicarpidae, this name being proposed by Pamela B. Hart et al in 2022, but this lineage is now treated as a subfamily of the Antennariidae. It is found off the southern coast of New Guinea, and along the coasts of Western Australia to 33° S latitude, the Northern Territory, and Queensland to 22° S latitude. A benthic species, it inhabits inshore tropical waters and coral reefs to a maximum depth of 145 m, though most are found shallower than 45 m.
- Scientific name
- Tathicarpus butleri
- Authority
- Ogilby, 1907
- Family
- Tathicarpidae
- Order
- Lophiiformes
- Maximum length
- 14 cm
- Depth range
- 0–146 m
- Habitat zone
- demersal
- Gbif occurrence records
- 402
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Lophiiformes · Family: Tathicarpidae · Genus: Tathicarpus.
Accepted name: Tathicarpus butleri · Authority: Ogilby, 1907 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 282935.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Tathicarpus appeli Ogilby, 1922; Tathicarpus muscosus Ogilby, 1907.
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=282935 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Biology and life history (FishBase)
Measured values published by FishBase for Tathicarpus butleri. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Maximum length: 14 cm · Depth range: 0–146 m · Habitat zone: demersal · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: bycatch.
FishBase notes: A benthic species (Ref. 75154) which occurs inshore (Ref. 7300, 75154). Solitary and usually found among weeds and rubble (Ref 90102).
Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 11269) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Tathicarpus-butleri.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
402 georeferenced occurrence records for Tathicarpus butleri are published through GBIF from 3 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 135 distinct locations from a sample of 402 records, omitting 18 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: Australia (400); Indonesia (1); Timor-Leste (1).
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2414704) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2414704&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=282935 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Description and natural history (Wikipedia)
This species reaches a maximum length of 10 cm. It has a stout, laterally compressed body with a large head longer than deep. Like other anglerfishes, the first dorsal fin ray is modified into a lure for attracting prey. The illicium ("fishing rod") of the Butler's frogfish is very long, measuring 24-47% the standard length, and lacks dermal spines. At the tip is a distinct esca ("fishing lure") that may measure 22% the standard length, consisting of a thin, broad appendage covered with hair-like filaments and bearing 1-2 dark spots at the base. The mouth is protrusible, with many slender, sharp teeth on the jaws, vomer, and palatines. The dorsal and anal fins are tall, containing 10-11 and 7 fin rays respectively; the caudal fin is long and contains 9 rays.
The Butler's frogfish has unusually long and "arm-like" pectoral fin lobes, which unlike other frogfish are largely detached from the sides of the body. Its genus name Tathicarpus, meaning "extending wrist", refers to this trait. The fish uses these pectoral fins to clamber along the sea bottom. The number of pectoral fin rays is reduced (6-7 as opposed to 8 or more in other frogfish), and the Butler's frogfish can move each ray individually like "fingers" to steady itself or to hold on to objects. The pelvic fins contain 5 rays each and are placed beneath the body. The skin is densely covered with bifurcate spinules; there are also varying numbers of large, fringed filaments over the head and body. The coloration ranges from pale gray to greenish to brown, with darker markings. The fin membranes are thin and translucent.
Source: Wikipedia: Butler's frogfish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butler%27s_frogfish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
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