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Phylum Chordata > Subphylum Vertebrate > fishes > Family Antennariidae
Black frogfish
awaiting identification*
Family Antennariidae
updated Sep 2020
Where seen? This all black and almost velvety frogfish is sometimes seen on our Southern shores. Among coral rubble. There are suggestions that this is a black version of juvenile Spotted-tail frogfishes.

Features: Those seen 6-10cm. Body globular, all black, some have sand-coloured markings on the body and edges of the fins and tail. Lacks scales and has a loose prickly skin instead. Lying motionless on the reef flat, it is easily mistaken for a black sponge!

Fishing with a lure: Like others in the family, it has a lure at the top of the head to attract prey within striking distance. The lure is pale beige and fluffy. It has bright white markings on the inside of the mouth, perhaps this also lures prey to come closer?

Sometimes mistaken for stonefish and scorpionfishes. Here's more on how to tell apart fishes that look like stones.

Sisters Island, Aug 07

Lure at the top of the head: pale, fluffy.
White markings on the inside of the mouth.

Some have sandy-coloured markings.
Pulau Semakau, Sep 05

*Species are difficult to positively identify without close examination.
On this website, they are grouped by external features for convenience of display.

Black frogfishes on Singapore shores
On wildsingapore flickr

Other sightings on Singapore shores


Sentosa Serapong, May 16
Photo shared by Dayna Cheah on facebook.


Sentosa, Nov 10
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on flickr.


Pulau Hantu, Oct 14
Photo shared by Jonathan Tan on facebook.


Pulau Hantu, May 13
Photo shared by Marcus Ng on flickr.

 


Pulau Semakau, Aug 14
Photo shared by Russel Low on facebook.


Terumbu Semakau, Aug 17
Photo shared by Jonathan Tan on facebook.
 


Pulau Semakau, Sep 23
Photo shared by Kelvin Yong on facebook.


Pulau Semakau North, Jul 24
Photo shared by Tommy Tan on facebook.


Beting Bemban Besar, Jun 15
Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoon on facebook.


Terumbu Pempang Tengah, Sep 14
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog.


Terumbu Pempang Tengah, May 22
Photo shared by Richard Kuah on facebook.

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