Animal Species:Smooth Anglerfish, Histiophryne bougainvilli (Valenciennes, 1837)

Alternative Name/s

Bougainville's Anglerfish, Bougainville's Frogfish

Identification

Fishes in the genus Histiophryne can be separated from all other anglerfishes by having the second and third dorsal fin spines showing only as low protruberances on the top of the head.  They also have the posterior-most margin of the dorsal and anal fins extending beyond the base of the caudal fin.

Size range

It grows to about 7 cm in length.

Distribution

The species occurs from southern Queensland, around the south of the country and north to the central coast of Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Smooth Anglerfish specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species occurs on coral reefs and inshore temperate rocky reefs.

Life cycle

As shown in some of the images, the species protects the developing eggs by wrapping the tail along the side of the body.

Classification

Species:

bougainvilli

Genus:

Histiophryne

Family:

Antennariidae

Order:

Lophiiformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

What does this mean?

References

1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
2. Pietsch, T.W. & D.B. Grobecker. 1987. Frogfishes of the World. Systematics, Zoogeography, and Behavioural Ecology. Stanford University Press. Pp. 420.

 

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 28 July 2012

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Smooth Anglerfish, Histiophryne bougainvilli, small lure on snout, Bougainville's Anglerfish, Bougainville's Frogfish, inshore water, rocky reef, temperate water, marine, coral reef, unusual fish, < 10 cm,