Introduction

This order includes a single family that occurs worldwide, largely in coastal marine environments (Nelson 2006). Relationships were discussed by Patterson & Rosen (1989) and Miya et al. (2005).

General References

Miya, M., Satoh, T.P. & Nishida, M. 2005. The phylogenetic position of toadfishes (order Batrachoidiformes) in the higher ray-finned fish as inferred from partitioned Bayesian analysis of 102 whole mitochondrial genome sequences. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society of London 85(3): 289-306

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.

Patterson, C. & Rosen, D.E. 1989. The Paracanthopterygii revisited: order and disorder. pp. 5-36 in Cohen, D.M. (ed.). Papers on the systematics of gadiform fishes. Science Series. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 32: 1-262

History of changes

Introduction

Worldwide, the Batrachoididae comprise approximately 80 species in 23 genera (Nelson 2006; Eschmeyer & Fong 2011). The Australian frogfishes were revised by Hutchins (1976) who recognised two genera and eight species. Subsequently, an apparently introduced species was found in Australia. All but one of the Australian species are endemic. Greenfield (1999) treated some tropical Australian species. Greenfield et al. (2008) reviewed the generic classification. MIya et al. (2005) discussed relationships of the family.

Batrachoidids are widely distributed in most tropical and subtropical seas. One apparent introduction from North America is known. Batrachoidids generally inhabit coral reefs, sand or mud flats, estuaries and deeper offshore trawling grounds to depths of at least 180 m. Frogfishes are bottom dwellers that shelter in crevices or under rocks, or bury themselves in sand or mud. Their diet consists of benthic invertebrates and fishes. The maximum size for the Australian species is about 27 cm standard length.

General References

Eschmeyer, W.N. & Fong, J.D. 2011. Species of Fishes by family/subfamily. On-line version dated dd mmm yyyy.. http://research.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/SpeciesByFamily.asp

Greenfield, D.W. 1999. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 1999-2003 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068.

Greenfield, D.W., Winterbottom, R. & Collette, B.B. 2008. Review of the toadfish genera (Teleostei: Batrachoididae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 4 59(15): 665-710 [Date published 31 Dec.]

Hutchins, J.B. 1976. A revision of the Australian frogfishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 4(1): 3-43 figs 1-17

McCulloch, A.R. 1914. Notes on some Western Australian fishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 1(3): 211-227 fig. 1 pls 19-31 [225]

Miya, M., Satoh, T.P. & Nishida, M. 2005. The phylogenetic position of toadfishes (order Batrachoidiformes) in the higher ray-finned fish as inferred from partitioned Bayesian analysis of 102 whole mitochondrial genome sequences. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society of London 85(3): 289-306

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.

Common Name References

Greenfield, D.W. 1999. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 1999-2003 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [1999] (FAO) (Toadfishes)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [76] (Frogfishes)

Whitley, G.P. 1948. A list of the fishes of Western Australia. Western Australia Fish Department. Fisheries Bulletin 2: 1-35 map [28] (Bastard Stonefish)

History of changes

• Batrachomoeus Ogilby, J.D. 1908. Revision of the Batrachoididae of Queensland. Annals of the Queensland Museum 9(2): 43-57 [45].

  Type species:

   Batrachomoeus broadbenti Ogilby, 1908 by subsequent designation, see Jordan, D.S. 1920. The genera of fishes. Part 4. Stanford University Publications, University Series 43: 411-576 [529] (type species often listed as Batrachomoeus minor Ogilby, 1908 by subsequent designation, see McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part III. Records of the Australian Museum 5: 329–436 [358] based on usage in McCulloch 1914 [224], but that designation probably not explicit).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

East-Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

General References

Hutchins, J.B. 1976. A revision of the Australian frogfishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 4(1): 3-43 figs 1-17

McCulloch, A.R. 1914. Notes on some Western Australian fishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 1(3): 211-227 fig. 1 pls 19-31 [224]

History of changes

• Pseudobatrachus dahli Rendahl, H. 1922. A contribution to the ichthyology of north-west Australia. Meddelelser fra det Zoologiske Museum. Kristiania 5: 163-197 figs 1-6 [195].

  Type data:

   Holotype UZMO J2996, Roebuck Bay, WA.
  Paratype(s) NHRM 20445; UZMO J5231 5 specimens.

Generic Combinations

• Batrachomoeus dahli (Rendahl, 1922). —
  Whitley, G.P. 1957. A kennel of frogfishes. Australian Museum Magazine 12(5): 139-142 [141]

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Shark Bay (25°21'S, 113°44'E) to north of Vansittart Bay (13°59'S, 126°20'E), WA; tropical.

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, inshore.

Extra Ecological Information

0 m - 20 m

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [62]

Allen, G.R., Cross, N.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 629-632 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [629]

Greenfield, D.W., Winterbottom, R. & Collette, B.B. 2008. Review of the toadfish genera (Teleostei: Batrachoididae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 4 59(15): 665-710 [Date published 31 Dec.] [681]

Hutchins, J.B. 1976. A revision of the Australian frogfishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 4(1): 3-43 figs 1-17 [38-40]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [271]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [54] (1992)

Common Name References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [62] (Dahl's Frogfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Dahl's Frogfish)

History of changes

• Lophius dubius White, J. 1790. Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales with sixty-five plates of non-descript animals, birds, lizards, serpents, curious cones of trees and other natural productions. London : Debrett 299 pp. 65 pls. [265].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, near Sydney, NSW.
• Pseudobatrachus striatus Castelnau, F.L. de 1875. Researches on the fishes of Australia. Intercolonial Exhibition Essays. 2. pp. 1–52 in, Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876 : Official Record. Melbourne. [24] [a queried synonym].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Cape York, QLD.
• Thalassophryne coeca De Vis, C.W. 1884. New fishes in the Queensland Museum. No. 3. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 9(3): 537-547 [547].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, QLD.
• Pelophiletor caloundrae Ogilby, J.D. 1906. Honorary curator's report. Amateur Fishing Club Association of Queensland. Annual Report 1905–6: 3-13 [9] [nom. nud.].
• Batrachomoeus minor Ogilby, J.D. 1908. Revision of the Batrachoididae of Queensland. Annals of the Queensland Museum 9(2): 43-57 [47].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM I.1564 (ex AFAQ 348), Moreton Bay, QLD.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Hutchins, J.B. 1976. A revision of the Australian frogfishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 4(1): 3-43 figs 1-17 [27]

Generic Combinations

• Batrachomoeus coecus (De Vis, 1884). —
  Ogilby, J.D. 1907. Honorary curator's report and list of specimens. Amateur Fishing Club Association of Queensland. Annual Report 1906–7(3): 8-14 [10]
• Batrachomoeus dubius (White, 1790). —
  Whitley, G.P. 1957. A kennel of frogfishes. Australian Museum Magazine 12(5): 139-142 [139]
• Pseudobatrachus dubius (White, 1790). —
  McCulloch, A.R. 1914. Notes on some Western Australian fishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 1(3): 211-227 fig. 1 pls 19-31 [224]
  McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part III. Records of the Australian Museum 5: 329–436 [358]
• Batrachus dubius (White, 1790). —
  Richardson, J. 1844. Ichthyology. pp. 1-16 pls 1-6, 7-8 (parts), 9-10 in Richardson, J. & Gray, J.E. (eds). The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Erebus and Terror under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross, R.N., F.R.S., during the years 1839–43. London : E.W. Janson Vol. 2. [16]
  Macleay, W.J. 1881. Descriptive catalogue of the fishes of Australia. Part 2. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 5(4): 510-629 pls 13-14 [572]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Swains Reefs, QLD (21°08'S, 152°05'E) to Kiama, NSW (34°39'S, 150°51'E); subtropical

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Continental shelf, estuary, inshore, rock reef, soft bottom.

Extra Ecological Information

0 m - 150 m

General References

Allen, G.R., Cross, N.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 629-632 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [630]

Coleman, N. 1980. Australian Sea Fishes South of 30ºS. Lane Cove, NSW : Doubleday Australia Pty Ltd 309 pp. [52]

Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp. [138]

Greenfield, D.W. 1999. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 1999-2003 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [2002]

Greenfield, D.W., Winterbottom, R. & Collette, B.B. 2008. Review of the toadfish genera (Teleostei: Batrachoididae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 4 59(15): 665-710 [Date published 31 Dec.] [681]

Hutchins, J.B. 1976. A revision of the Australian frogfishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 4(1): 3-43 figs 1-17 [27-30]

Hutchins, J.B. & Swainston, R. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Perth : Swainston Publishing 180 pp. [32]

Johnson, J.W. 1999. Annotated checklist of the fishes of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 43(2): 709-762 [723]

Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 437 pp. [44]

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [46]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part III. Records of the Australian Museum 5: 329–436 [358] (as Pseudobratrachus dubius and P. striatus)

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [271]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [54] (1989)

Common Name References

Coleman, N. 1980. Australian Sea Fishes South of 30ºS. Lane Cove, NSW : Doubleday Australia Pty Ltd 309 pp. [52] (Dubious Frogfish)

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [512] (Brown Frogfish)

Greenfield, D.W. 1999. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 1999-2003 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [2002] (FAO) (Blotchtail Toadfish)

Hutchins, J.B. & Swainston, R. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Perth : Swainston Publishing 180 pp. [123] (Eastern Frogfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Eastern Frogfish)

History of changes

• Batrachomoeus occidentalis Hutchins, J.B. 1976. A revision of the Australian frogfishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 4(1): 3-43 figs 1-17 [23].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM P.23702-001, Exmouth Gulf, WA, 14-20 m.
  Paratype(s) AM I.18472-001; BMNH 1975.10.10.1; WAM P.9343-001; WAM P.23876-001; WAM P.23877-001 1 skeleton; WAM P.25091-001; WAM P.25092-001; WAM P.25093-001 2 specimens.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Rottnest Island (32°00'S, 115°15'E) to Arafura Sea, north of Goulburn Island, NT (9°18'S, 133°12'E), WA; temperate.

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, inshore.

Extra Ecological Information

20 m - 200 m

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [62]

Allen, G.R., Cross, N.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 629-632 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [630]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [38]

Greenfield, D.W., Winterbottom, R. & Collette, B.B. 2008. Review of the toadfish genera (Teleostei: Batrachoididae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 4 59(15): 665-710 [Date published 31 Dec.] [681]

Hutchins, J.B. 1976. A revision of the Australian frogfishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 4(1): 3-43 figs 1-17 [23-26]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [271]

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [76]

Common Name References

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [76] (Western Frogfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Western Frogfish)

History of changes

• Batrachomoeus rubricephalus Hutchins, J.B. 1976. A revision of the Australian frogfishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 4(1): 3-43 figs 1-17 [30].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM P.25082–001, Garden Island, WA.
  Paratype(s) AM I.18473-001; BMNH 1975.10.10.2; WAM P.159-001 skeleton; WAM P.1195-001; WAM P.4003-001; WAM P.4292-001; WAM P.5792-001; WAM P.6092-001; WAM P.7120-001; WAM P.7122-001; WAM P.7198-001; WAM P.14788-001; WAM P.25083-001 skeleton; WAM P.25123-001.

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Pseudobatrachus dubius (White, 1790) [misidentification of specimen from WA]. —
  McCulloch, A.R. 1914. Notes on some Western Australian fishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 1(3): 211-227 fig. 1 pls 19-31 [226]

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Eucla (31°43'S, 128°53'E) to Houtman Abrolhos Islands (28°53'S, 114°02'E), WA; temperate.

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Inshore, rock reef.

Extra Ecological Information

1 m - 50 m

General References

Allen, G.R., Cross, N.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 629-632 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [630]

Coleman, N. 1980. Australian Sea Fishes South of 30ºS. Lane Cove, NSW : Doubleday Australia Pty Ltd 309 pp. [51]

Gomon, M.F. 1994. Families Batrachoididae, Lophiidae. pp. 279-282 figs 250-251 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. [280]

Gomon. M.F. 2008. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 360 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp. [360]

Greenfield, D.W., Winterbottom, R. & Collette, B.B. 2008. Review of the toadfish genera (Teleostei: Batrachoididae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 4 59(15): 665-710 [Date published 31 Dec.] [681]

Hutchins, J.B. & Swainston, R. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Perth : Swainston Publishing 180 pp. [32]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [272]

Common Name References

Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. [280] (Pinkhead Frogfish)

Hutchins, J.B. & Swainston, R. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete field guide for anglers and divers. Perth : Swainston Publishing 180 pp. [123] (Pink-headed Frogfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Pinkhead Frogfish)

History of changes

• Batrachus trispinosus Günther, A. 1861. Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum. Catalogue of the acanthopterygian fishes in the collection of the British Museum. London : British Museum Vol. 3 586 pp. [169].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) BMNH 1847.2.9.39, Singapore, Malaysia; BMNH 1860.3.19.424 left half skin, Peneng, Malaysia; BMNH 1860.3.19.425 left half skin.
• Batrachomoeus broadbenti Ogilby, J.D. 1908. Revision of the Batrachoididae of Queensland. Annals of the Queensland Museum 9(2): 43-57 [49].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM I.874, Cardwell.
  Paratype(s) QM ?? (ex QM I.874).

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Hutchins, J.B. 1976. A revision of the Australian frogfishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 4(1): 3-43 figs 1-17 [34]

Generic Combinations

• Pseudobatrachus broadbenti (Ogilby, 1908). —
  McCulloch, A.R. & Whitley, G.P. 1925. A list of the fishes recorded from Queensland waters. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 8(2): 125-182 [176]
• Batrachomoeus trispinosus (Günther, 1861). —
  Bean, B.A. and Weed, A.C. 1912. Notes on a collection of fishes from Java, made by Owen Bryant and William Palmer in 1909, with description of a new species. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 42: 587-611 [609]

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Batrachomoeus dahli (Rendahl, 1922) [misidentification]. —
  Whitley, G.P. 1954. New locality records for some Australian fishes. Proceedings of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales 1952–53: 23-30 figs 1-5 [28] (Northern Territory)

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Barrow Island, WA (20°46'S, 115°24'E) to Maroochydore, QLD (26°38'S, 153°04'E); tropical, east-Indo-west Pacific (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and New Guinea).

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, inshore.

Extra Ecological Information

0 m - 68 m

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [62]

Allen, G.R., Cross, N.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 629-632 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [631]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [38]

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [512]

Greenfield, D.W. 1999. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 1999-2003 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [2002]

Hutchins, J.B. 2001. Checklist of the fishes of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 63: 9-50 [21]

Larson, H.K. & Williams, R.S. 1997. Darwin Harbour fishes: a survey and annotated checklist. pp. 339-380 in Hanley, H.R., Caswell, G., Megirian, D. & Larson, H.K. (eds). The Marine Flora and Fauna of Darwin Harbour, Northern Territory, Australia. Proceedings of the Sixth International Marine Biology Workshop. Darwin : Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory 466 pp. [349]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part III. Records of the Australian Museum 5: 329–436 [358] (as Pseudobratrachus broadbenti)

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [272]

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [78]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [54] (1991, as Pseudobratrachus broadbenti)

Common Name References

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [512] (Broadbent's Frogfish)

Greenfield, D.W. 1999. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 1999-2003 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [2002] (FAO) (Threespine Toadfish)

Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J. & Leyland, G.G. 1984. Continental Shelf Fishes of Northern and North-Western Australia. Canberra : Fisheries Information Service 375 pp. figs & pls. [78] (Three-spined Frogfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Threespine Frogfish)

History of changes

• Halophryne Gill, T.N. 1863. Descriptive enumeration of a collection of fishes from the western coast of Central America, presented to the Smithsonian Institution by Capt. John M. Dow. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 15(4): 162-174 [170].

  Type species:

   Batrachoides diemensis Lesueur, 1824 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

East-Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Christmas Island Province (23), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Territory of Ashmore & Cartier Islands

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls.

Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp.

Greenfield, D.W. 1999. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 1999-2003 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068.

Hutchins, J.B. 1976. A revision of the Australian frogfishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 4(1): 3-43 figs 1-17

History of changes

• Batrachoides diemensis Lesueur, C.A. 1824. Description of two new species of the genus Batrachoides of Lacépède. Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 3(2): 295-403 [402].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Tasmania, Australia.
• Batrachus muelleri Klunzinger, C.B. 1879. Die v. Müller'sche Sammlung Australischer Fische. Anzeiger der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Klasse, Wien 16(22): 254-261 [257] [described in more detail in Klunzinger, C.B. (1880). Die von Müller'sche Sammlung australischer Fische in Stuttgart. Sitzungsberichte der Akademie der Wissenschaften. Wien 80(1): 325–430 pls 1–9 [387, pl. 9(1)]].

  Type data:

   Holotype SMNS 2490, Darwin, NT.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Hutchins, J.B. 1976. A revision of the Australian frogfishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 4(1): 3-43 figs 1-17 [13]

Generic Combinations

• Coryzichthys diemensis (Lesueur, 1824). —
  Ogilby, J.D. 1908. Revision of the Batrachoididae of Queensland. Annals of the Queensland Museum 9(2): 43-57 [51]
  McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part III. Records of the Australian Museum 5: 329–436 [359]
• Halophryne diemensis (Lesueur, 1824). —
  Whitley, G.P. 1937. Further ichthyological miscellanea. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 11(2): 113-148 figs 11-13 [144]
• Batrachus diemensis (Lesueur, 1824). —
  Richardson, J. 1843. Contributions to the ichthyology of Australia. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 1 11(71): 352-359 [352]

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay, WA (26°09'S, 113°12'E) to One Tree Island, QLD (23°30'S, 152°05'E), Ashmore Reef, Timor Sea, also known throughout the Indo-Malay Archipelago; tropical, east-Indo-west Pacific.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Christmas Island Province (23), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Other Regions

Territory of Ashmore & Cartier Islands

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, coral reef, inshore, rock reef.

Extra Ecological Information

0 m - 106 m

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [62]

Allen, G.R., Cross, N.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 629-632 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [631]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [38]

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [512]

Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp. [138]

Greenfield, D.W. 1999. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 1999-2003 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [2002]

Greenfield, D.W., Winterbottom, R. & Collette, B.B. 2008. Review of the toadfish genera (Teleostei: Batrachoididae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 4 59(15): 665-710 [Date published 31 Dec.] [683]

Hutchins, J.B. 2001. Checklist of the fishes of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 63: 9-50 [22]

Johnson, J.W. 1999. Annotated checklist of the fishes of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 43(2): 709-762 [723]

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [464]

Larson, H.K. & Williams, R.S. 1997. Darwin Harbour fishes: a survey and annotated checklist. pp. 339-380 in Hanley, H.R., Caswell, G., Megirian, D. & Larson, H.K. (eds). The Marine Flora and Fauna of Darwin Harbour, Northern Territory, Australia. Proceedings of the Sixth International Marine Biology Workshop. Darwin : Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory 466 pp. [349]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part III. Records of the Australian Museum 5: 329–436 [359] (in part)

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [272]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [53]

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 557 pp. figs. [53]

Whitley, G.P. 1957. A kennel of frogfishes. Australian Museum Magazine 12(5): 139-142 [141]

Whitley, G.P. 1964. A survey of Australian Ichthyology. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 89(1): 11-127 [54] (1993)

Common Name References

Coleman, N. 1981. Australian Sea Fishes North of 30°S. Lane Cove, NSW : Doubleday Australia Pty Ltd 297 pp. [36] (Australian Frogfish)

Grant, E.M. 1975. Guide to Fishes. Brisbane : Queensland Government, Co-ordinator General’s Department 640 pp. [512] (Bastard Stonefish, Devil-fish, Stonefish)

Greenfield, D.W. 1999. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 1999-2003 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [2002] (FAO) (Banded Toadfish)

Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. A comprehensive reference for divers and fishermen. Sydney, NSW, Australia : New Holland Publishers xvii, 434 pp. [46] (Northern Frogfish)

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs. [53] (Banded Frogfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Banded Frogfish)

Whitley, G.P. 1957. A kennel of frogfishes. Australian Museum Magazine 12(5): 139-142 [141] (Wirrarook)

History of changes

• Halophryne ocellatus Hutchins, J.B. 1974. Halophryne ocellatus, a new species of frogfish (Batrachoididae) from Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum 3(2): 115-120 figs 1-3 [115].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM P.5956-001, Houtman Abrolhos Islands, WA, 80 m.
  Paratype(s) WAM P.3364-001; WAM P.5851-001; WAM P.5955-001; WAM P.6149-001; WAM P.6260-001; WAM P.7148-001; WAM P.9393-001; WAM P.9394-001; WAM P.12073-001; WAM P.13767-001; WAM P.13768-001; WAM P.13769-001; WAM P.14653-001; WAM P.14833-001; WAM P.16296-001; WAM P.16483-001; WAM P.23604-001; WAM P.24562-001; WAM P.24829-001; WAM P.24830-001.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

West of Cape Naturaliste (33°35'S, 114°40'E) to Broome (17°58'S, 122°14'E), WA; tropical.

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, inshore.

Extra Ecological Information

20 m - 52 m

General References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [62]

Allen, G.R., Cross, N.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 629-632 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [631]

Allen, G.R. & Swainston, R. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A field guide for anglers and divers. Perth, WA : Western Australian Museum vi 201 pp., 70 pls. [38]

Greenfield, D.W., Winterbottom, R. & Collette, B.B. 2008. Review of the toadfish genera (Teleostei: Batrachoididae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 4 59(15): 665-710 [Date published 31 Dec.] [684]

Hutchins, J.B. 2001. Checklist of the fishes of Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 63: 9-50 [22]

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [272]

Common Name References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 292 pp. 106 pls. [62] (Ocellated Frogfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Ocellate Frogfish)

History of changes

• Porichthys queenslandiae De Vis, C.W. 1882. Descriptions of some new Queensland fishes. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 1 7(3): 367-371 [370].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM I.3735, Dunk Island, QLD.

Generic Combinations

• Halophryne queenslandiae (De Vis, 1882). —
  Hutchins, J.B. 1976. A revision of the Australian frogfishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum 4(1): 3-43 figs 1-17 [17]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

West of Tijou Reef, QLD (13°11'S, 143°55'E) to Coffs Harbour, NSW (30°22'S, 153°07'E); tropical.

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, brackish water, coral reef, inshore, rock reef.

Extra Ecological Information

0 m - 25 m

General References

Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp. [140]

Greenfield, D.W. 1999. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 1999-2003 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [2003]

Greenfield, D.W., Winterbottom, R. & Collette, B.B. 2008. Review of the toadfish genera (Teleostei: Batrachoididae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 4 59(15): 665-710 [Date published 31 Dec.] [684]

Johnson, J.W. 1999. Annotated checklist of the fishes of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 43(2): 709-762 [723]

Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 437 pp. [45]

McCulloch, A.R. 1929. A check-list of the fishes recorded from Australia. Part III. Records of the Australian Museum 5: 329–436 [359] (as Coryzichthys diemensis, in part, considered queenslandiae as a junior synonym)

Paxton, J.R., Hoese, D.F., Allen, G.R. & Hanley, J.E. (eds) 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Pisces: Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 7 665 pp. [272]

Common Name References

Grant, E.M. 2002. Guide to Fishes. Redcliffe : EM Grant Pty Ltd 880 pp. [140] (Southern Frogfish)

Greenfield, D.W. 1999. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 1999-2003 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [2003] (FAO) (Queensland Toadfish)

Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 437 pp. [45] (Sculptured Frogfish)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Sculptured Frogfish)

History of changes

• Porichthys Girard, C.F. 1854. Enumeration of the species of marine fishes, collected at San Francisco, California, by Dr. C. B. R. Kennerly, naturalist attached to the survey of the Pacific railroad route, under Lieut. A. W. Whipple. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 7: 141-142 [141].

  Type species:

   Porichthys notatus Girard, 1854 by subsequent designation, see Jordan, D.S. & Gilbert, C.H. 1883. A synopsis of the fishes of North America. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 16: 1-1018 [Date published 30/Apr/1883: dated 1882] [751].

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

West Atlantic and east Pacific.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

History of changes

• Porichthys notatus Girard, C.F. 1854. Enumeration of the species of marine fishes, collected at San Francisco, California, by Dr. C. B. R. Kennerly, naturalist attached to the survey of the Pacific railroad route, under Lieut. A. W. Whipple. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 7: 141-142 [141].

  Type data:

   Holotype USNM 520, San Francisco, California, USA.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

A single trawled specimen from Port Stevens, NSW (32°42'S, 152°12'E) in AM collection; temperate.

Introduced from west coast of North America.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, inshore.

General References

Allen, G.R., Cross, N.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Family Batrachoididae. pp. 629-632 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [632]

Greenfield, D.W., Winterbottom, R. & Collette, B.B. 2008. Review of the toadfish genera (Teleostei: Batrachoididae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 4 59(15): 665-710 [Date published 31 Dec.] [674]

Common Name References

Fishbase 2004. Fishbase at. http://www.fishbase.org/Summary. (Fishbase, FAO) (Plainfin Midshipman)

Seafood Services Australia 2008. Australian Fish Names Standard. http://www.fishnames.com.au/. (Plainfin Frogfish)

History of changes