Common Name
Dwarf Frogfish
Year Described
Schultz, 1957
Identification
Dorsal Fin: III, 12
Anal Fin: 7
Pelvic Fin: 5
Pectoral Fin: 9
Caudal Fin: 9 bifurcate rays
Vertebrae: 19
Body globose and rough with a large terminal mouth that is strongly oblique. Distal two-thirds of maxilla tucked under folds of skin; front tip spinose. Illicium well developed and naked (5.2-8.2% SL). Illicium much shorter than second dorsal spine. Esca consists of many filaments radiating from a central bulb. Second dorsal spine membrane without naked/spiny portions; membrane connects broadly to third dorsal spine. Pectoral fin lobe attached. Only last pelvic fin ray bifurcate (rest simple). Caudal peduncle present (rear dorsal rays not attached to caudal fin by membrane). Pseudobranch present. Dermal spinules bifurcate.
Color
Body whitish, brown, tan, salmon, or reddish with thin reticulations that vary from white to dark. Can be heavily peppered with speckles. The only consistent markings are a small dark spot on the soft dorsal fin base and on the anterior margin.
Size
A small species: reaches 56mm SL.
Habitat
Shallow sandy reefs, rubble, and seagrass beds from 6-73m.
Range
Florida to Venezuela, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Also Bermuda.
References
Pietsch, T.W. & Arnold, R.J. 2020. Frogfishes: Biodiversity, Zoogeography, and Behavioral Ecology. JHU Press.