Jump to content

Painted frogfish: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Gigemag76 moved page Antennarius pictus to Painted frogfish: common name
copy edit
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Taxobox
{{Taxobox
| name = Antennarius pictus
| name =
| image = Antennarius pictus.JPG
| image = Antennarius pictus.JPG
| regnum = [[Animalia]]
| regnum = [[Animalia]]
Line 13: Line 13:
}}
}}


'''''Antennarius pictus''''', also known as the '''Painted frogfish''' or '''Spotted frogfish''', is a [[Marine fish]] belonging to the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Antennariidae]].
The '''painted frogfish''' or '''spotted frogfish''', ''Antennarius pictus'', is a [[marine fish]] belonging to the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Antennariidae]].


==Description==
==Description==
''Antennarius pictus'' is a small sized [[fish]] which grows up to {{convert|30|cm|in}}. Like other members of its [[Family (biology)|family]],it has a globulous, extensible body, the soft skin is covered with small dermal [[spinule]]s. Its skin is covered partially with few small wartlike protuberances, some variable shape scabs-like blotches and many small eye-spots ([[ocelli]]) reminding the [[sponge]]s holes.
The painted frogfish grows up to {{convert|30|cm|in|abbr=o}} long. Like other members of its family, it has a globulous, extensible body, with soft skin is covered with small dermal [[spinule]]s. Its skin is covered partially with few, small, wart-like protuberances, some variably shaped, scab-like blotches and many small eye spots ([[ocelli]]) which look like [[sponge]]s holes. Its large [[prognathous]] mouth allows it to consume prey its same size.
Its large mouth is [[prognathous]] and allows it to consume prey it's same size.
The coloring of the body is extremely variable from a specimen to another one because they always tend to match their living environment.
[[Frogfish]]es have the capacity to change coloration and pigment pattern in few weeks, average 2 to 5 weeks only.
⚫
However, the dominant coloration goes from white to black passing through a whole range of related nuances like cream, pink, yellow, red, brown and also usually with darker than the background color circular eye-spots and/or with saddles and blotches like scabs.
Some specimens can easily be confused with its closed relative ''[[Antennarius maculatus]]''.
⚫
This is few characteristic points but not systematic which can help to separate the two close [[species]]: usually ''A. maculatus'' has red or orange margins on all fins, sometimes a spike of the saddle blotch start posterously from the eye, numerous warts on the skin, few or no ocellis, ''A. pictus'' has also three eye- spots on its [[caudal fin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eol.org/pages/205404/details |title=Facts about Clown Frogfish (Antennarius maculatus) - Encyclopedia of Life |publisher=Eol.org |date=2013-04-25 |accessdate=2013-09-03}}</ref>
⚫
Juveniles can have a dark background color with small yellow spots.


⚫
The coloring of the body is extremely variable because they always tend to match their living environments. [[Frogfish]]es have the capacity to change coloration and pigment pattern in few weeks. However, the dominant coloration goes from white to black, passing through a whole range of related nuances such as cream, pink, yellow, red, and brown, usually with circular eye spots darker than the background color and/or with saddles and blotches. Some specimens can easily be confused with ''[[Antennarius maculatus]]''.
The first dorsal spine, called the "[[illicium]]", is modified and is used as a fishing rod. Its extremity is endowed with a characteristic [[esca]] ([[Fishing lure|lure]]), this latter should look like a small fish with a pinkish to brownish coloration.
⚫
These characteristics can help to separate the two close [[species]]: usually, ''A. maculatus'' has red or orange margins on all fins, and sometimes a spike of the saddle blotch starts posterior to the eye, numerous warts on the skin, andfew or no ocellis; ''A. pictus'' has also three eye spots on its [[caudal fin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eol.org/pages/205404/details |title=Facts about Clown Frogfish (Antennarius maculatus) - Encyclopedia of Life |publisher=Eol.org |date=2013-04-25 |accessdate=2013-09-03}}</ref>
The [[illicium]] is twice the length of the second dorsal spine and its often darkly banded.
⚫
Juveniles can have a dark background color with small yellow spots.
⚫
The second dorsal spine is practically straight and is mobile, the third one is bent towards the back of the body, both are membranously attached to the head. They are well separated from each other's and also from the [[dorsal fin]].<ref name="Frogfishes">Pietsch & Grobecker, ‘’Frogfishes of the world’’, Stanford University Press, 1987,ISBN 9780804712637</ref>


⚫
The first dorsal spine, the [illicium]], is modified and is used as a fishing rod. Its extremity is endowed with a characteristic [[esca]] ([[Fishing lure|lure]]), which looks like a small fish with a pinkish to brownish coloration. The illicium is twice the length of the second dorsal spine and its often darkly banded. The second dorsal spine is practically straight and is mobile, and the third one is bent towards the back of the body; both are membranously attached to the head. They are well separated from each other and from the [[dorsal fin]].<ref name="Frogfishes">Pietsch & Grobecker, ‘’Frogfishes of the world’’, Stanford University Press, 1987,ISBN 9780804712637</ref>
⚫
The [[pectoral fin]]s are angled and help with the [[pelvic fin]]s to the [[frogfish]] [[Aquatic locomotion|locomotion]] on the bottom and to keep a stable position for [[ambush]].


⚫
The [[pectoral fin]]s are angled and help, with the [[pelvic fin]]s, to [[Aquatic locomotion|move]] the frogfish on the bottom and to keep a stable position for [[ambush]].
⚫
==Distribution==
''Antennarius pictus'' lives in the [[tropical]] and [[subtropical]] waters from the [[Indo-Pacific]] area, [[Red Sea]] included.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eol.org/pages/213752/details#distribution |title=Facts about Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus) - Encyclopedia of Life |publisher=Eol.org |date=2009-05-19 |accessdate=2013-09-03}}</ref>


⚫
==Distribution and habitat==
==Habitat==
''Antennarius pictus'' is found in sheltered rocky and coral reefs, adults are usually associated with [[sponge]]s until a {{convert|75|m|ft}} depth range and with an average occurrence at {{convert|15|m|ft}} depth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eol.org/pages/213752/details#habitat |title=Facts about Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus) - Encyclopedia of Life |publisher=Eol.org |date=2009-05-19 |accessdate=2013-09-03}}</ref>
''Antennarius pictus'' lives in the [[tropical]] and [[subtropical]] waters from the [[Indo-Pacific]] area, [[Red Sea]] included.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eol.org/pages/213752/details#distribution |title=Facts about Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus) - Encyclopedia of Life |publisher=Eol.org |date=2009-05-19 |accessdate=2013-09-03}}</ref> It is found on sheltered rocky and coral reefs, and adults are usually associated with [[sponge]]s down to {{convert|75|m|ft|abbr=on}} deep, with an average occurrence at {{convert|15|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eol.org/pages/213752/details#habitat |title=Facts about Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus) - Encyclopedia of Life |publisher=Eol.org |date=2009-05-19 |accessdate=2013-09-03}}</ref>


==Feeding==
==Feeding==
As all [[frogfish]]es, ''Antennarius hispidus'' is a voracious [[carnivore]] which can attack all all small animals that pass within its "strike range", mainly fishes but even sometimes congeners. Its [[predation|prey]] can have size close to its own.<ref name="Frogfishes" />
As all frogfishes, ''A. hispidus'' is a voracious [[carnivore]] which can attack all all small animals that pass within its "strike range", mainly fishes, but even sometimes congeners. Its [[predation|prey]] can be close to its own size.<ref name="Frogfishes" />


==Behaviour==
==Behaviour==
''Antennarius hispidus'', like other members of its [[Family (biology)|family]], has [[benthic]] and solitary lifestyle. They gather during mating period but do not tolerate each other any more after the act of [[fertilization]]. The male can kill or eat the female if it stays close to it.<ref name="Frogfishes" />
Like other members of its family, the painted frogfish has a [[benthic]] and solitary lifestyle. They gather during mating period, but do not tolerate each other any more after the act of [[fertilization]]. The male can kill or eat the female she it stays close.<ref name="Frogfishes" />


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 20:08, 5 January 2014

Painted frogfish
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Lophiiformes
Family:
Antennariidae
Genus:
Antennarius
Species:
A. pictus
Binomial name
Antennarius pictus
(Shaw, 1794)

The painted frogfish or spotted frogfish, Antennarius pictus, is a marine fish belonging to the family Antennariidae.

Description

The painted frogfish grows up to 30 centimetres (12 in)* long. Like other members of its family, it has a globulous, extensible body, with soft skin is covered with small dermal spinules. Its skin is covered partially with few, small, wart-like protuberances, some variably shaped, scab-like blotches and many small eye spots (ocelli) which look like sponges holes. Its large prognathous mouth allows it to consume prey its same size.

The coloring of the body is extremely variable because they always tend to match their living environments. Frogfishes have the capacity to change coloration and pigment pattern in few weeks. However, the dominant coloration goes from white to black, passing through a whole range of related nuances such as cream, pink, yellow, red, and brown, usually with circular eye spots darker than the background color and/or with saddles and blotches. Some specimens can easily be confused with Antennarius maculatus. These characteristics can help to separate the two close species: usually, A. maculatus has red or orange margins on all fins, and sometimes a spike of the saddle blotch starts posterior to the eye, numerous warts on the skin, andfew or no ocellis; A. pictus has also three eye spots on its caudal fin.[1] Juveniles can have a dark background color with small yellow spots.

The first dorsal spine, the [illicium]], is modified and is used as a fishing rod. Its extremity is endowed with a characteristic esca (lure), which looks like a small fish with a pinkish to brownish coloration. The illicium is twice the length of the second dorsal spine and its often darkly banded. The second dorsal spine is practically straight and is mobile, and the third one is bent towards the back of the body; both are membranously attached to the head. They are well separated from each other and from the dorsal fin.[2]

The pectoral fins are angled and help, with the pelvic fins, to move the frogfish on the bottom and to keep a stable position for ambush.

Distribution and habitat

Antennarius pictus lives in the tropical and subtropical waters from the Indo-Pacific area, Red Sea included.[3] It is found on sheltered rocky and coral reefs, and adults are usually associated with sponges down to 75 m (246 ft) deep, with an average occurrence at 15 m (49 ft).[4]

Feeding

As all frogfishes, A. hispidus is a voracious carnivore which can attack all all small animals that pass within its "strike range", mainly fishes, but even sometimes congeners. Its prey can be close to its own size.[2]

Behaviour

Like other members of its family, the painted frogfish has a benthic and solitary lifestyle. They gather during mating period, but do not tolerate each other any more after the act of fertilization. The male can kill or eat the female she it stays close.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Facts about Clown Frogfish (Antennarius maculatus) - Encyclopedia of Life". Eol.org. 2013-04-25. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
  2. ^ a b c Pietsch & Grobecker, ‘’Frogfishes of the world’’, Stanford University Press, 1987,ISBN 9780804712637
  3. ^ "Facts about Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus) - Encyclopedia of Life". Eol.org. 2009-05-19. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
  4. ^ "Facts about Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus) - Encyclopedia of Life". Eol.org. 2009-05-19. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Painted_frogfish&oldid=589334675"