Eastern frogfish | |
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'Eastern Frogfish' Batrachomoeus dubius at North Solitary Island, New South Wales | |
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Genus: | De Vis, 1882
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Species: | B. dubius
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Binomial name | |
Batrachomoeus dubius (White, 1790)
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The eastern frogfish (Batrachomoeus dubius) is a bottom-dwelling fish endemic to coastal eastern Australia, from Fraser Island, Queensland to Kiama, New South Wales.[1] It is an ambush predator with a large expandable stomach, capable of swallowing crustaceans, molluscs and other fishes whole.[1]
Habitat
The fish is found at depths of 1-150m along the continental shelf but also estuaries and inshore reefs.[2] Rarely seen in the open, they shelter on rocky reefs and among seaweed or under rocks and in caves.
Morphology
The eastern frogfish has a flattened head with a wide mouth surrounded by a distinct fleshy 'beard'.[3] Its colour varies from mottled brown to pale grey or bluish-grey, with two broad bands and scattered splotches along the body.[1] Juveniles are paler with broad bands. They reach a maximum length of 35 cm.
References
- ^ a b c Bray, Dianne. "Eastern Frogfish, Batrachomoeus dubius". Fishes of Australia. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
- ^ "Batrachomoeus dubius (White, 1790) Eastern frogfish". Fishbase. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
- ^ McGrouther, Mark. "Eastern Frogfish, Batrachomoeus dubius (White, 1790)". Australian Museum. Retrieved 14 September 2014.