Histiophryne
Encyclopedia
Histiophryne is a genus of frogfish
es found in waters ranging from Taiwan
to South Australia
. There are currently three known species. These fishes are easily distinguished from other anglerfish
es as having a reduced (or missing) luring appendage
, a highly evolved form of the first dorsal fin
spine
. The second and third spines are immobile and reduced as well to mere bumps beneath the skin. The rear fins extend past the body of the fish and meet its tail fin.
Frogfish
Frogfishes, family Antennariidae, are a type of anglerfish in the order Lophiiformes. They are known as anglerfishes in Australia, where 'frogfish' refers to a different type of fish...
es found in waters ranging from Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
to South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. There are currently three known species. These fishes are easily distinguished from other anglerfish
Anglerfish
Anglerfishes are members of the teleost order Lophiiformes . They are bony fishes named for their characteristic mode of predation, wherein a fleshy growth from the fish's head acts as a lure; this is considered analogous to angling.Some anglerfishes are pelagic , while others are benthic...
es as having a reduced (or missing) luring appendage
Appendage
In invertebrate biology, an appendage is an external body part, or natural prolongation, that protrudes from an organism's body . It is a general term that covers any of the homologous body parts that may extend from a body segment...
, a highly evolved form of the first dorsal fin
Dorsal fin
A dorsal fin is a fin located on the backs of various unrelated marine and freshwater vertebrates, including most fishes, marine mammals , and the ichthyosaurs...
spine
Spine (zoology)
A spine is a hard, thorny or needle-like structure which occurs on various animals. Animals such as porcupines and sea urchins grow spines as a self-defense mechanism. Spines are often formed of keratin...
. The second and third spines are immobile and reduced as well to mere bumps beneath the skin. The rear fins extend past the body of the fish and meet its tail fin.