Australian Frogfish

Description: Characterized by an elongate laterally compressed body; generally mottled brownish color; usually with about eight irregular bars of brown to dark brown on pale brown ground with last two bars joined medially; head depth 3.4-4.8 in SL; two spines on each operculum and suboperculum; gill opening restricted to upper one-half to two-thirds of base of pectoral fin; jaw teeth rounded without sharp points; four or more rounded tips of orbital tentacles; pectoral axil without pore (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19 - 21; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 16 - 18; Vertebrae: 27 - 28

Occurs in inshore waters (Ref. 75154).

Found in coastal reefs and among mangroves, sometimes in crevices or caves (Ref. 9710). Occurs in estuaries and fairly common in the tidally influenced part of the lower Mekong (Ref. 12693). Conceals itself in mud or debris and waits for prey to come by (Ref. 12693). Feeds on crabs, prawns, mollusks, echinoderms, and fishes. Stab wounds from spines can result to severe pain. Rarely trawled. Marketed fresh in the Mekong delta (Ref. 12693).