Frogfishes or toadfishes are the common names for the Batrachoididae family. They occur in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. They are mainly saltwater fishes but can also occur in brackish and freshwater.
Frogfishes are bottom-dwellers ranging from shallow inshore areas to deep waters . They often hide in the sediment or in rock crevices. They are rather sluggish in their movements and are ambush predators, feeding mainly on molluscs and crustaceans. They might bite and their spines may inflict wounds to people handling them.
There are 22 genera and about 80 species worldwide. Malaysia has 4 of these species.
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Scientific Name: Allenbatrachus reticulatus (Steindachner, 1870) English Name: Singapore Toadfish, Reticulated Toadfish Local Malay Name: Ikan Gedempu Local Hokkien: Or Hu Size: Maximum standard length 15.3 cm. Remark: Very strong jaw. The fish is caught in the Straits of Johor.   Scientific Name: Batrachomoeus trispinosus (Günther, 1861) English Name: Three-spined Frogfish Local Malay Name: Ikan Gedempu, Gedempu Duri Local Hokkien: Or Hu Size: Maximum standard length 15.3 cm. Remark: Very strong jaw.  |