ANIMAL SPECIES:Sargassum Anglerfish, Histrio histrio (Linnaeus, 1758)
Unlike most other shallow-water anglerfishes the skin of the Sargassum Anglerfish is smooth rather than prickly. The species occurs in all tropical marine waters except the Eastern Pacific.
Identification
The Sargassum Anglerfish can be recognised by its body shape, dorsal fin structure, colour and presence of skin flaps and filaments. Unlike most other shallow-water anglerfishes (family Antennariidae) the skin of the Sargassum Anglerfish is smooth rather than prickly.
This fish has a dorsal fin divided into four parts. The most anterior part is the "fishing rod and lure" comprising the illicium and esca. This is followed by two separate spines and finally by a long-based soft-rayed portion.
The Sargassum Anglerfish varies from pale cream to greenish or dark brown. It has an irregular pattern of blotches and spots.
Size range
The species grows to 16 cm in length.Distribution
The Sargassum Anglerfish occurs in all tropical marine waters except the Eastern Pacific.
In Australia it is known from Rockingham, Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country, and south to Batemans Bay, New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Sargassum Anglerfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
Eggs, juveniles and adults usually live closely associated with floating algae. Adults are sometimes seen swimming under clumps of floating Sargassum weed.
Behaviour and adaptations
Other behaviours and adaptations
When threatened by a predator a Sargassum Anglerfish can jump out of the water onto the top of an algal mat. It may stay out of water for some time.
Classification
- Species:
- histrio
- Genus:
- Histrio
- Family:
- Antennariidae
- Order:
- Lophiiformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
Would you like to add a comment?
Sign up to add comments and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.
Would you like to add a tag?
Sign up to add tags and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.
Sargassum Anglerfish at Manado View full size
William Tan
© William Tan
Sargassum Anglerfish, Histrio histrio View full size
Dave Harasti
© Dave Harasti
Sargassum Anglerfish on a mooring rope View full size
Dave Harasti
© Dave Harasti
Support us
Your support will have a real impact.
Online Shop
Great gifts.
Australian Museum Members
Join today.
Australian Museum Business Services
Professional consulting.
Museum as a Venue
Unique spaces.
Media Resources
Contact Publicity.
2 comments
Mark McGrouther
9.03 AM, 21 March 2011
Hi Kerryn. Thank you so much for telling me about the clip that you put on YouTube. You will be interested to hear that 'your fish' is south of the officially recorded distributional range. I have added a small post on your sighting to the Australian Museum's Fish Bits blog.
Kerryn
8.03 PM, 20 March 2011
Hi there. I found and video'd a small brown sargassum anglerfish at Bar Beach, Merimbula (about 2 hours south of Batemans Bay) recently (March 2011). I've copy and pasted my youtube link as I am currently unable to attach links. Hope it works. Kerryn Wood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABVkhmeQpkE
Report misuse