Description
Antennarius maculatus is a small sized fish which grows up to 15 centimetres (5.9 in). Like other members of its family,it has a globulous, extensible body, the soft skin is covered with small dermal spinules. The skin is covered with numerous small wartlike protuberances. Its large mouth is prognathous and allows it to consume prey it's same size. The coloring of the body is extremely variable from a specimen to another one because they always tend to match their living environment. Frogfishes have the capacity to change coloration and pigment pattern in few weeks, average 2 to 5 weeks only. However, the dominant coloration goes from white to black passing through a whole range of related nuances like cream, pink, yellow,red, brown and also often with dark circular spots and/or with saddles. Some heavily spotted specimens can easily be confused with its closed relative Antennarius pictus. This is two characteristic points but not systematic which can help to separate the two close species: usually A. maculatus has red or orange margins on all fins and sometimes a spike of the saddle blotch start posterously from the eye.
The first dorsal spine, called the "illicium", is modified and is used as a fishing rod. Its extremity is endowed with a characteristic esca (lure), this latter should look like a small fish with a pinkish to brownish coloration. The illicium is twice the length of the second dorsal spine and its often darkly banded. The second dorsal spine is practically straight and is mobile, the third one is bent towards the back of the body, both are membranously attached to the head. They are well separated from each others and also from the dorsal fin.
The pectoral fins are angled and help with the pelvic fins to the frogfish locomotion on the bottom and to keep a stable position for ambush.
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