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Antennarius pictus (Shaw, 1794) Painted frogfish |
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photo by
Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda |
| Family: | Antennariidae (Frogfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 30 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 75 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian and Society islands. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Color variable; has a black phase with white pectoral ray tips. Bony part of illicium with numerous dark crossbands and nearly twice as long as the 2nd dorsal spine; esca an elongate tuft of flattened appendage. Description: Characterized by having a thin posterior membrane covered with spinules attaching second dorsal spine to head; low rounded wart-like swellings partially or fully covering head and body; presence of distinct caudal peduncle (Ref. 90102). | |||
| Biology: | Inhabit shallow sheltered reefs (Ref. 9710). Adults usually with sponges; juveniles openly on sand or reef, mimicking small sponges or nudibranchs (Ref. 48635). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Oviparous. Eggs are bound in ribbon-like sheath or mass of gelatinous mucus called 'egg raft' or 'veil' (Ref. 6773). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 September 2021 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||
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