Sargassum Fish (species: Histrio histrio) in taxonomy (Gaia Guide)
Animalia > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Vertebrata > Pisces > Actinopterygii > Neopterygii > Teleostei > Paracanthopterygii > Lophiiformes > Antennarioidei > Antennariidae > Antennariinae > Histrio > Histrio histrio (gallery)
Histrio histrio
Sargassum Fish


©Dennis Polack/FishWise Professional: Sargassum Fish (Histrio histrio)

©Bill Bell and Mark Bell: Sargassum Fish (Histrio histrio)

©David: Sargassum Fish (Histrio histrio), separated from its weed, Ocean Free, Green Island

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Lophiiformes
Family Antennariidae
Genus Histrio
Species Histrio histrio
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Colours

              

Distinguishing features

Distinguishing features still need to be specified.

Size

  • Up to 20 cm (Total length) - applies to Male

Depth range

  • From 0 m to 2 m - applies to Commonly, but can be down to 50 metres

Synonyms

Interesting facts

  • Eggs are bound in ribbon-like sheath or mass of gelatinous mucus called 'egg raft' or 'veil' (FishBase) the fins of these fish have become prehensile, meaning they can grip like fingers and hold on to the floating seaweed, moving in unison with it, completely undetectable.
  • The name 'Histrio'comes from a Latin word meaning 'related with actors, because of the movements of it makes before catching its prey (FishBase)

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Mostly in shallow waters among weeds an other floating objects, particularly Sargassum weed.

Web resources

Danger

  • requires treatment - Reports of ciguatera poisoning (FishBase)