Longlure Frogfish, scientifically known as Antennarius multiocellatus, is a type of frogfish found in the western Atlantic Ocean.
It lives near warm shallow reefs with lots of sponges, from Bermuda and the Bahamas to Brazil, at depths less than 215 feet (66 meters).
This fish usually stays around shallow reefs and likes areas with many sponges.
Its color changes to match the main sponge color nearby, and it has markings that look like sponge openings. This helps it blend in with its surroundings.
Longlure Frogfish mainly eats other fish but will also eat crustaceans like crabs and shrimp. It is a very skilled hunter that uses camouflage to hide from its prey.
However, it is not reef-safe as it eats other fish and disrupts the balance of life on coral reefs.
Longlure Frogfish Interesting Facts
- Camouflages with sponges: Longlure Frogfish changes color to match nearby sponges, helping it blend in and hunt prey more effectively.
- Skilled hunter: It preys on other fish and crustaceans like crabs and shrimp using its camouflage abilities.
- Egg raft: This frogfish lays eggs covered in a jelly-like substance called an “egg raft” or “veil.”
- Wide geographic range: Found from Bermuda and the Bahamas to Brazil, as well as near Ascension Island in the Eastern Atlantic.
Longlure Frogfish Habitat
Longlure Frogfish is found in the Western Atlantic, including areas around Bermuda, Florida Keys, Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, Greater Antilles (like Cuba and Puerto Rico), Virgin Islands, Lesser Antilles (islands south of British Virgin Islands to Grenada), western Caribbean (from Yucatan Peninsula to Colombia) and northern South America (north of Amazon River). It also lives in the Eastern Atlantic near Ascension Island.
Longlure Frogfish prefers marine environments and coral reefs at depths of 0 to 66 meters.
It’s typically found in subtropical waters with a latitude range between 19°N to 1°S and a longitude range from 89°W to 48°W.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Longlure Frogfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 7.9 inches (20.0 centimeters)
Longlure Frogfish grows up to 7.9 inches (20.0 centimeters) long. This fish has 11 to 12 soft rays on its dorsal fin and 6 to 7 soft rays on its anal fin.
Its illicium, a fishing rod-like structure, is about twice as long as its second dorsal spine.
Longlure Frogfish Reproduction
Longlure Frogfish lays eggs to reproduce.
The eggs are covered by a jelly-like substance called an “egg raft” or “veil.”
Longlure Frogfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Lophiiformes |
| Family: | Antennariidae |
| Genus: | Antennarius |
| Scientific Name: | Antennarius multiocellatus |
| Also Known As: | Longlure Frogfish |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |