Commerson's frogfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Commerson's frogfish |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification |
The Commerson's frogfish, also known as the giant frogfish, is a fascinating sea creature. Its scientific name is Antennarius commerson. This fish is a type of frogfish, which belongs to a special group of fish called Antennariidae.
Contents
What Does the Commerson's Frogfish Look Like?
The Commerson's frogfish can grow quite large, up to 38 centimeters (about 15 inches) long. Like other frogfish, it has a round, stretchy body. Its soft skin is covered with tiny, spiky bumps. It also has some small, wart-like spots and blotches. Sometimes, it has small eye-like spots that look like holes in a sponge.
Amazing Color Changes
One of the coolest things about this fish is its ability to change color! It does this to blend in with its surroundings. This helps it hide from both predators and prey. A frogfish can change its color in just a few weeks. Their colors can range from grey to black, or even cream, pink, yellow, red, and brown. They often have darker spots or blotches on their bodies.
How to Tell Them Apart
Young Commerson's frogfish can sometimes look like two other related species: Antennarius maculatus and Antennarius pictus.
- A. maculatus usually has red or orange edges on all its fins. It also has many warts on its skin.
- A. pictus is covered with eye-like spots. It also has three eye spots on its tail fin.
Its Special Fishing Rod
The Commerson's frogfish has a unique "fishing rod" on its head. 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 shrimp and is usually pink or brownish. The illicium is twice as long as the second spine and often has dark bands.
The frogfish also uses its pectoral fins and pelvic fins. These fins help it move along the bottom and stay steady when it's waiting to ambush its next meal.
Where Do Commerson's Frogfish Live?
You can find Antennarius commerson in the warm, tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian Ocean and the eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean.
Their Favorite Hangouts
These fish love to live in calm lagoons and protected rocky or coral reefs. They often hide near large sponges, on underwater ropes, or around jetty pillars. You can find them at depths of up to 70 meters (about 230 feet), but they are most commonly seen around 20 meters (about 65 feet) deep.
How Do Commerson's Frogfish Hunt and Behave?
Like all frogfishes, the Commerson's frogfish is a very hungry carnivore. This means it eats other animals. It will attack any small creature that comes close, especially other fish. Sometimes, it even eats other frogfish!
A Solitary Life
Commerson's frogfish usually live alone. They are benthic, which means they live on the seafloor. They only come together during mating season. After mating, they go their separate ways. The female might even chase the male away if he stays too close. The frogfish uses its small, flattened lure to attract prey, just like a fishing rod.
- Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2012). "Antennarius commerson" in FishBase. April 2012 version.
See also
In Spanish: Ranisapo de Commerson para niños
