Histiophryne cryptacanthus (Weber, 1913)
Cryptic anglerfish
Histiophryne cryptacanthus
photo by Allen, G.R.

 Family:  Antennariidae (Frogfishes), subfamily: Histiophryninae
 Max. size:  9.6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  reef-associated; depth range 5 - 130 m
 Distribution:  Western Pacific.
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-16; Anal soft rays: 6-9. Description: Characterized by having variable colors: mottled white, grey, yellow, pink and brown; sometimes covered with spots that resemble pores of sponges; tiny illicium (less than 4% of SL); partially hidden illicium and esca in groove on mid-dorsal line of snout; skin bounds second and third dorsal spines to surface of head; low protuberances on top of head and neck; no caudal peduncle, posterior margin of dorsal and anal fins connected to base of outermost caudal fin rays (Ref. 90102).
 Biology:  Found inshore on reefs (Ref. 7300) but has been recorded to a depth of 130 m (Ref. 9563). Adults found with sponges or ascidians (Ref. 48635). Oviparous. Eggs are attached to each other by a single, flattened, acellular filament and are brooded in a hollow behind the left pectoral fin (Ref. 6773). Mimics sponges with its spots that resembles pores of sponges (Ref 90102).
 IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated  (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:  Known in Calamianes Islands, northern Palawan (Ref. 48613).

 Entered by: Binohlan, Crispina B. - 15.07.95
 Modified by: Valdestamon, Roxanne Rei - 20.02.13

Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.


Page created by Jen, 05.08.02, php script by kbanasihan 06/09/2010 ,  last modified by dsantos, 20/08/10