Striated Frogfish, also known as the Hairy Frogfish, is a bottom-dwelling marine fish belonging to the Antennariidae family. It lives in rocky and coral reefs, on rocks, sand, or rubble.
This fish is found in weedy estuaries along the east coast of southern Africa. It lives in both marine and brackish waters.
In the Atlantic Ocean, Striated Frogfish is usually found at an average depth of 40 meters (131 feet). It has been seen to puff itself up like a pufferfish.
Also, this fish is not reef-safe for aquariums.
Striated Frogfish Interesting Facts
- Striated Frogfish can puff themselves up like Pufferfish.
- They have a unique lure with worm-like appendages to attract prey.
- Males display brighter colors and longer skin extensions than females.
Striated Frogfish Habitat
Striated Frogfish is found in various regions around the world. In the Eastern Atlantic, it lives off the African coast from Senegal to Southwest Africa and has been recorded once in St. Helena.
In the Western Atlantic, it’s found near New Jersey (USA), Bermuda, Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean islands, and down to Brazil’s southern coast.
This fish is also present in the Indo-Pacific region, which includes areas like the Red Sea, East African coast, Society and Hawaiian islands, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. However, it’s not found in the Eastern Pacific.
Striated Frogfish prefers marine or brackish waters with reefs; usually inhabiting depths of 10 to 219 meters (33 to 718 feet), but most commonly found at depths up to 40 meters (131 feet).
It thrives in subtropical climates within latitudes of 43°N to 50°S and longitudes of 88°W to 154°W.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Striated Frogfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 3.9 inches (10.0 centimeters)
Striated Frogfish is a small fish with a maximum length of 9.8 inches (25.0 centimeters) and an average length of 3.9 inches (10.0 centimeters). Its maximum published weight is 32.90 grams.
This fish has a round, short body and a large mouth filled with tiny teeth. Its skin is rough and covered with split dermal spinules.
The pectoral fins are attached to the sides of its body, and it has 3 dorsal spines, 11 to 12 dorsal soft rays, no anal spines, and 7 anal soft rays.
Its entire head, body, and fins have rough, parallel dark streaks. It also has unbranched pelvic rays except for the last one that splits at the end.
A Striated Frogfish’s lure or illicium is as long as its second dorsal spine or slightly longer. It has two to seven worm-like appendages on its esca (the fleshy tip of the lure), which help attract prey.
Striated Frogfish’s coloration varies from light yellow to green, gray, brown, or even solid black or almost white. It may have bands or large elongated brownish/black spots on their bodies.
Striated Frogfish Reproduction
Striated Frogfish is oviparous, meaning it lays eggs. Males display brighter colors and longer skin extensions compared to females.
The eggs are wrapped in a gel-like substance called an “egg raft” or “veil.”
Striated Frogfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Lophiiformes |
| Family: | Antennariidae |
| Genus: | Antennarius |
| Scientific Name: | Antennarius striatus |
| Also Known As: | Striated Frogfish, Hairy Frogfish |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |