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 |
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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