Antennarius pardalis (Valenciennes 1837)

Diagnosis: body short and globose; mouth large with many small, villiform teeth; skin rough, covered with bifurcate dermal spinules; pectoral-fin lobes attached to sides of body; illicium nearly twice as long as second dorsal-fin spine (Ref. 57225). Description: lure large and laterally compressed, attaining in some specimens up to 50% of shaft length of illicium; TL of illicium 18.9-29.6% of SL; second and third dorsal-fin spines slightly curved backwards, second spine attaining 10.8-16.3%, and third 21.3-26.4% of SL; eye diameter 4.6-5.8% of SL (Ref. 57225). Coloration: red in life, with dark, round spots scattered over body and fins, those on belly smaller but more numerous; preserved specimens light beige, yellowish or brownish, covered with irregular-shaped whitish and dark spots; large round, brownish or black spots, particularly well developed on unpaired fins and belly, and sometimes, short dark streaks around eyes (Ref. 57225).

Oviparous.

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 14; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 6 - 10

Feeds on fish and shrimps (Ref. 28587).

Inhabits coastal waters (Ref. 26999). Occurs in marine or brackish water (Ref. 97225). Feeds on fish and shrimps (Ref. 28587).

fisheries:

Antennarius pardalis, known as the leopard frogfish, is a species of fish in the family Antennariidae. It is native to the Eastern Atlantic from Senegal to the Republic of the Congo, including Cape Verde. It is found at a depth range of 18 to 50 m (59 to 164 ft) and reaches 10.2 cm (4 inches) SL. It is a coastal species that can be seen in marine or occasionally brackish environments, and it feeds on shrimp and small fish.