Antennarius maculatus
No common name
Collection Details
Specimens
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Records
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fishes)
Lophiiformes (Anglerfish)
Antennariidae (Frogfishes)
Antennarius
Antennarius maculatus
Description
This species account was compiled from
FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2025. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version 04/2025.)
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Characters
Body shape: short and / or deep. Characterized by numerous prominent wart-like protuberances on its skin and a large esca that mimics a tiny fish. Bony part of the illicium with numerous crossbands and approximately twice as long as the 2nd dorsal spine. Coloration is highly variable, ranging from cream to yellow, brown, or black with scattered dark circular spots and saddles or blotches ranging from white to pink, rust-red, or red. Heavily spotted individuals resemble A. pictus. Usually has red or orange margins on all fins and the first band across the body diverts to the posterior edge of the eye which distinguishes it from A. pictus (Ref. 48635).
Description: Characterized by having unbranched pelvic rays except posterior most; esca with eye spot and resembling a small fish; curved second dorsal spine with small membrane posteriorly; curved third dorsal spine, posterior membrane not reaching dorsal fin; overall wart-like protuberances (Ref. 90102).
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Maldives (Ref. 30829) and Mauritius to Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Recently reported from New Caledonia (Ref. 11889).
Habitat Associations
Marine. reef-associated. depth range 1-15 m.
Biology
Inhabit sheltered rocky reefs (Ref. 559). Adults are usually with sponges (Ref. 48635). Juveniles openly on reefs looking like nudibranchs (Ref. 48635). Feeds on fishes (Ref. 89972). Oviparous. Eggs are bound in ribbon-like sheath or mass of gelatinous mucus called 'egg raft' or 'veil' (Ref. 6773). Solitary, frequently among algae, sponges and soft corals (Ref 90102).
Max length: 15.0 cm TL.
Reproductive mode: dioecism; fertilization: external; nonguarders (open water/substratum egg scatterers); parental care: none. 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), assessed 2021-09-06. Resilience: High (Fec assumed to be > 10,000).
Commercial or Environmental Importance
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial.
References
Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen (1966) Modes of reproduction in fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey. 941 p.
Myers, R.F. (1991) Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p.
Pietsch, T.W. and D.B. Grobecker (1987) Frogfishes of the world. Systematics, zoogeography, and behavioral ecology. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. 420 p.
Masuda, H. and G.R. Allen (1993) Meeresfische der Welt - Groß-Indopazifische Region. Tetra Verlag, Herrenteich, Melle. 528 p.
Myers, R.F. (1999) Micronesian reef fishes: a comprehensive guide to the coral reef fishes of Micronesia, 3rd revised and expanded edition. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 330 p.
Kuiter, R.H. and T. Tonozuka (2001) Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes. Part 1. Eels- Snappers, Muraenidae - Lutjanidae. Zoonetics, Australia. 1-302.
Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann (2012) Reef fishes of the East Indies. Perth, Australia: Universitiy of Hawai'i Press, Volumes I-III. Tropical Reef Research.
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