Bloody frogfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bloody frogfish |
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The bloody frogfish (scientific name: Abantennarius sanguineus) is a really interesting type of fish. It's also known as the sanguine frogfish. This amazing creature lives in the Pacific Ocean. It belongs to a special group of fish called Antennariidae, which are all known as frogfishes.
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Discovering the Bloody Frogfish
How Scientists Name Fish
Scientists give every living thing a unique name. This helps them organize and study nature. The bloody frogfish's scientific name is Abantennarius sanguineus. An American biologist named Theodore Gill first described it in 1863. He found it near Cabo San Lucas in Mexico.
This fish is part of the Antennariidae family. This family is within a larger group called Lophiiformes, which are all types of anglerfishes.
What's in a Name?
The Meaning Behind Abantennarius sanguineus
The name Abantennarius sanguineus tells us a bit about this fish. The first part, Abantennarius, comes from "ab" (meaning "away from") and "antennarius" (referring to frogfish). This name points to where its gill opening is located. Unlike most frogfish, its gill opening is away from its pectoral fin.
The second part of the name, sanguineus, means "blood red." This refers to its color when it was first discovered. However, these fish can actually be many different colors! They can be yellow, brown, or even purple.
What Does the Bloody Frogfish Look Like?
A Master of Disguise
The bloody frogfish is a small fish, growing up to about 8.2 centimeters (3.2 inches) long. Like other frogfishes, it has a round, stretchy body. Its skin feels soft and is covered with tiny spines. It has a very large mouth that can open wide. This allows it to eat prey almost as big as itself!
Its body color can change a lot. It might be yellow, yellow-brown, or reddish. It often has brown spots and patterns that help it blend in. You might also see dark spots on its belly. Sometimes, there's a dark spot that looks like an eye near its tail.
Its Special Fishing Rod
One of the coolest things about the bloody frogfish is its "fishing rod." This is actually its first dorsal spine, called an illicium. At the end of this rod is a special lure, called an esca. This lure looks like a small fish or a cluster of dark bumps and long threads. The frogfish wiggles this lure to attract other fish, making them think it's an easy meal!
Its pectoral fins look a bit like arms with an elbow joint. They are broadly connected to its body. The gill opening is located behind and under the base of these fins. The back edges of its dorsal and anal fins are connected to its tail area.
Where Does the Bloody Frogfish Live?
Its Ocean Home
The bloody frogfish lives in warm, tropical, and subtropical parts of the eastern Pacific Ocean. You can find it from the Gulf of California all the way down to Chile. It also lives around several islands, including the Revillagigedo Islands, Clipperton Island, Cocos Island, Malpelo Island, and the Galápagos Islands.
What is Its Habitat Like?
Hiding in the Reef
This frogfish prefers to live on rocky reef slopes. It always stays close to a safe hiding spot, like a hole or a small cave. It can be found at depths up to 40 meters (130 feet). Most often, you'll find it around 20 meters (65 feet) deep.
How Does the Bloody Frogfish Eat?
A Clever Hunter
Like all frogfishes, the bloody frogfish is a very hungry carnivore. It's a skilled hunter that waits patiently. When a small animal swims within its reach, the frogfish quickly attacks! It mainly eats other fish. Sometimes, it might even try to eat another frogfish. Its prey can be almost as big as the frogfish itself.
How Does the Bloody Frogfish Behave?
A Solitary Life
The bloody frogfish usually lives alone. It stays on the ocean floor. They only come together during mating season. After mating, they go their separate ways.
A single female frogfish can release a huge number of eggs, sometimes up to 300,000! These eggs form a floating raft that stays on the surface of the water. After a few days, the eggs hatch.
