Commerson's frogfish
Antennarius commerson
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Commerson's frogfish
- Scientific
- Antennarius commerson
- Dhivehi
- މާ ބޮއްމަސްMaa bohmas
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 45 cm (total length) (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 38 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 70 m
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2021
Description
The largest frogfish on Indo-Pacific reefs, reaching about 45 cm, with a bulky, lumpy body and a huge upturned mouth. Its colour can be yellow, orange, red, green, brown or black, and an individual can change colour over a few weeks to match its surroundings. It often sits beside a sponge of the same colour, using its lure to attract fish and shrimps.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name maa bohmas (MRS 1997).
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Antennarius-commerson.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/މާ_ބޮއްމަސް
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Giant_FrogFish.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Maa bohmas' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'މާ ބޮއްމަސް' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FLAG: the source states no traditional name was recorded and this descriptive name was coined for the book; it is not an established fishermen's name.