Antennarius pictus (Shaw & Nodder, 1794)
This frogfish is smaller than Commerson's Frogfish with about the same variation in color. It can be orange, red, yellow, green, brown, gray or black, typically with scablike patches. How can one tell the difference between a Painted Frogfish and a small Commerson's? Mainly by counting the pectoral fin rays—the Painted Frogfish usually has 10 while Commerson's usually has 11. Prominent light-edged dark spots on the body are another indicator—but inconclusive because small Commerson's Frogfish may bear similar spots, and not all Painted Frogfish have them. There are better characters, but they are difficult, probably impossible, to see in the field. To 8 in. Indo-Pacific, rare in Hawai`i. Photo: Waikiki Aquarium. (The animal was originally collected on a shallow reef off Hickham Air Force Base.) Below is a specimen photographed off Makua, O`ahu, at 70 ft.
