Painted Frogfish

Color variable; has a black phase with white pectoral ray tips. Bony part of illicium with numerous dark crossbands and nearly twice as long as the 2nd dorsal spine; esca an elongate tuft of flattened appendage.Description: Characterized by having a thin posterior membrane covered with spinules attaching second dorsal spine to head; low rounded wart-like swellings partially or fully covering head and body; presence of distinct caudal peduncle (Ref. 90102).

Oviparous. Eggs are bound in ribbon-like sheath or mass of gelatinous mucus called 'egg raft' or 'veil' (Ref. 6773).

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 7 - 8

Inhabit shallow sheltered reefs (Ref. 9710). Adults usually with sponges; juveniles openly on sand or reef, mimicking small sponges or nudibranchs (Ref. 48635). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Oviparous. Eggs are bound in ribbon-like sheath or mass of gelatinous mucus called 'egg raft' or 'veil' (Ref. 6773).

fisheries: of no interest