Hawaii's Reef Fishes

Frogfishes

Randall's Frogfish Antennarius randalli (Allen, 1970)

The bizarre fishes of this family are often called anglerfishes, but this is the general common name for the 16 families of the order Lophiiformes of which the Antennariidae is one. The species of these families have the first dorsal spine modified to a lure consisting of the slender ilicium tipped with the esca (bait) which is used to attract prey.

The frogfishes have a globose compressed body with a loose scaleless skin that may have wart-like protuberances or small tentacles or cirri. The mouth is very large and highly oblique to vertical.

There are two more dorsal spines on the head behind the ilicium; the third spine is curved and usually broadly connected to the nape by membrane.The prehensile pectoral fins are limb-like with an "elbow” joint.

The gill opening is small and round, located on the basal part of the pectoral appendage or behind it. The color of frogfishes is extremely variable; they generally match their surroundings very well. If the background color is changed, they may in a few weeks dramatically change color, as from red or yellow to black.

Although frogfishes are able to slowly stalk their prey of fishes or crustaceans, they usually remain stationary and lure the prey by wriggling the esca above the mouth. They can engulf fishes longer than themselves, hence not good choices for aquaria with other fishes.

Painted Frogfish

Antennarius pictus (Shaw & Nodder, 1794)

Black, yellowish, orange, rust red, or brown, usually with ocellated dark spots of different size; dark individuals often with white-tipped pectoral rays; ilicium about twice as long as second dorsal spine; membrane attaching second dorsal spine to head thin, with spinules; dorsal rays usually 12; pectoral rays usually 10. Largest, 8.3 inches (21 cm). Indo-Pacific.

Randall's Frogfish

Antennarius randalli (Allen, 1970)

Yellowish, reddish brown, to nearly black; a blackish spot basally in dorsal fin; 2 white spots often present in caudal fin; ilicium shorter than second dorsal spine; membrane of second dorsal fin connected to third dorsal spine, and its membrane to soft dorsal fin; dorsal rays usally 12; pectoral rays 9. A small species, to 1.7 inches (4.3 cm). Easter Island and Hawai'i to western Pacific.

All information and pictures in this section are from John E. Randall's Shore Fishes of Hawai'i by permission of the author.