Antennatus sanguineus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Lophiiformes
Family: Antennariidae
Genus: Antennatus
Species:
A. sanguineus
Binomial name
Antennatus sanguineus
(Gill, 1863)

Antennatus sanguineus, also known as the bloody frogfish or sanguine frogfish, is a Marine fish belonging to the family Antennariidae.

Description

Antennatus sanguineus is a small sized fish which grows up to 8.2 centimetres (3.2 in).[2] Like other members of its family, it has a globulous, extensible body and the soft skin is covered with small dermal spinules. The large mouth of this fish is prognathous and allows it to consume prey its same size. The coloring of the body is variable and ranges from yellow, or yellow brown, to reddish with brown spotting and mottling. The ventral part is covered with dark spots and an ocellus can be observed up before the caudal peduncle.[3]

The first dorsal spine, called the "illicium", is modified and is used as a fishing rod. Its extremity is endowed with a characteristic esca (lure). This latter should look like a small fish and has a cluster of dark swellings and long filaments.[4]

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

Distribution

Antennatus sanguineus lives in the tropical and subtropical waters from the oriental Pacific Ocean area, from the Gulf of California to Chile; including Revillagigedos, Clipperton, Cocos, Malpelo and the Galapagos islands.[1]

Habitat

Antennatus sanguineus is found on rocky reef slopes always close to a shelter such as a hole or recesses to a 40 metres (130 ft) depth range and with an average occurrence at 20 metres (66 ft) depth.[5]

Feeding

As all frogfishes, Antennatus sanguineus is a voracious carnivore which can attack all small animals that pass within its "strike range"; mainly fishes but sometimes even congeners. Its prey can have size close to its own.[6]

Behaviour

Antennatus sanguineus, like other members of its family, 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 if it stays close to it.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Iwamoto, T.; Eschmeyer, W. (2010). "Antennatus sanguineus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T183660A8153685. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T183660A8153685.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Antennatus sanguineus, Bloody frogfish". Fishbase.org. 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  3. ↑ "Facts about Bloody Frogfish (Antennatus sanguineus) - Encyclopedia of Life". Eol.org. 2009-05-21. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  4. ↑ "Antennatus sanguineus - Antennarius sanguineus (Bloody frogfish, Sanguine frogfish - "Blutiger" Anglerfisch) - Frogfish / Anglerfisch: Identification key, behavior, range, habitat, photos / Bestimmungsschlüssel, Merkmale, Verhalten, Vorkommen, Verbreitung, Fotos". Frogfish.ch. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  5. ↑ "Facts about Bloody Frogfish (Antennatus sanguineus) - Encyclopedia of Life". Eol.org. 2009-05-21. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  6. 1 2 Pietsch & Grobecker, ‘’Frogfishes of the world’’, Stanford University Press, 1987,ISBN 9780804712637
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