Threespine Frogfish, Batrachomoeus trispinosus (Günther, 1861)

Scientific name: Batrachomoeus trispinosus
Alternative name/s:
Broadbent's Frogfish
Threespine Frogfish,<i> Batrachomoeus trispinosus</i> Click to enlarge image
A Threespine Frogfish caught on hook and line in the Albert River near Burketown, Queensland. Image: Grant Turner
© Grant Turner

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Batrachomoeus
    Species
    trispinosus
    Family
    Batrachoididae
    Order
    Batrachoidiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
Threespine Frogfish, Batrachomoeus trispinosus Threespine Frogfish, Batrachomoeus trispinosus
A Threespine Frogfish caught in a crab trap near Yorkey's Knob, Cairns, Queensland. It was released after being photographed. The fish used its pectoral fins to 'crawl' around on the deck. A Threespine Frogfish caught in a crab trap at a depth of 3 m, near Yorkey's Knob, Cairns, Queensland, 5 August 2013. It was released after being photographed. The fish used its pectoral fins to 'crawl' around on the deck before being returned to the water. Thank you to Julian Pepperell (Pepperell Research & Consulting) for sending the photographs and to Jeff Johnson (Queensland Museum) for identifying the fish. Jeff said "Julian’s fish is most likely the Threespine Frogfish, Batrachomoeus trispinosus. We have a lot of those sent in for id from NQ. The only other one commonly taken around Cairns is the Banded Frogfish, Halophryne diemensis, but the images are not as good a match for that species. Image: Chris Blanch
© Chris Blanch Chris Blanch

Distribution

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.