Freckled frogfish

Q: Can you eat Freckled frogfish?

A small, mottled frogfish found in Pacific reef habitats; not consumed. No documented culinary use — too small and cryptically camouflaged to be of any interest to fishermen.

Q: How big does Freckled frogfish get?

Freckled frogfish can grow up to 12.0 cm long.

Q: Where is Freckled frogfish found?

Central Pacific Ocean from Hawaii and Johnston Atoll south and west to the Line Islands and central Polynesia. Found on shallow coral reefs, particularly in algae-covered rubble zones and around head corals to 30 m depth. Shallow Indo-Pacific coral and rocky reefs at 3-25m depth. Found on sponges, coral rubble, and algae-covered substrates from Hawaii to East Africa. Prefers sheltered lagoon and back-reef habitats.

Q: What family does Freckled frogfish belong to?

Freckled frogfish (Abantennarius drombus) belongs to the family Antennariidae (Frogfishes) in the order Lophiiformes (Anglerfishes).

Abstract

Central Pacific reefs from Hawaii and Johnston Atoll south and west to the Line Islands and central Polynesia hold Abantennarius drombus, a frogfish of shallow rubble and back-reef habitat down to about 30 metres. Numerous small dark brown to reddish spots scattered evenly across a pale cream to yellowish body and fins give the freckled pattern that names it and distinguishes it among Indo-Pacific frogfishes. It reaches 12 cm. Like its relatives it is a sit-and-wait predator, gulping prey in a rapid strike, and is placed in the family Antennariidae, order Lophiiformes.