Antennarius hispidus (Hispid frogfish)

Identification

Antennarius hispidus is smaller sized frogfish with a short, thick illicium (rod that holds the lure) and a pom-pom like lure. The illicium may be striped but not very pronounced. The color might vary from yellow to orange, brown, grey and black, sometimes with zebra-like banding. It is often covered in short skin filaments, looking like hairs. That is why it is also called shaggy frogfish.

Status

Unassessed by the IUCN Red list. Quite Common, but often misidentified.

Habitat
Indo-West Pacific: from East Africa, India, and Malaysia to the Moluccas, north to Taiwan, south to northern Australia. Sightings from Fiji have also been reported. Appears to be absent from oceanic islands of the Indian Ocean. Inhabits still muddy habitats that are either deep or offshore or shallow rocky and coral reefs, in a depth range of 0-90 meters.

Reproduction

Oviparous breeders. The eggs are bound in a ribbon-like sheath or mass of gelatinous mucus called ‘egg raft’ or ‘veil’.

Size

Up to 20cm.

Prey / Predation

A. hispidus feeds on smaller fish, which it ambushes from a camouflaged postion. It can quickly move forward using its tail and big pectoral fins, as well as extend its mouth outwards.

Special features

It can change its color to match the surroundings in several days up to weeks. It is known by the common name hispid frogfish, shaggy frogfish, or hispid anglerfish.