Spotfin frogfish

Taxobox | name = Spotfin frogfish


image_caption =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Lophiiformes
familia = Antennariidae
genus = "Antennarius"
species = "A. nummifer"
binomial = "Antennarius nummifer"
binomial_authority = (Cuvier, 1817)

The spotfin frogfish, "Antennarius nummifer", is a frogfish of the family Antennariidae, found in all subtropical oceans to depths of 300 m. Its length is up to 15 cm.

The spotfin frogfish is a deep-bodied shapeless species, with thickened and adapted pectoral and pelvic fins which serve as limbs allowing the fish to 'walk' over the bottom. It has prickly, scaleless skin and a large upturned mouth. The gill openings are reduced to small apertures behind the pectoral fin bases. The first three dorsal fin spines are separate and the first of these is modified to form a tassle-topped fishing lure that is used to attract prey fishes within striking range. Using a unique process for pre-tensioning the body muscles, the attacking lunge is over in as little as 1,000th of a second, giving the prey no time to take evasive action.

They are pale grey-brown in colour often with a red-purple tint, and are mottled with a darker brown. There is also a large yellow-edged black spot at the base of the soft dorsal fin. The fins are yellowish, marked with darker spots and bands.

References

*
* Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, "Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand", (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8