Genus: Fowlerichthys, Frogfish, Frogfishes

FOWLERICHTHYS

FROGFISHES

A globular somewhat compressed body; head not spiny; eyes on sides of head; a very large, upward directed mouth with many small teeth; fishing pole with distinct lure, any spicules are at base or along front margin; 3rd dorsal spine movable, not bound down by skin; a small round gill opening, below and behind pectoral base; limb-like pectoral fins with an "elbow" joint, that fin broadly connected to body; tail base present, dorsal and anal fins not connected to tail fin; pelvic fins short, with all 5 rays branched; number of vertebrae20; skin of body rough, covered with close-set, double-pointed spicules.

A pantropical genus with 5 species; 2 west Atlantic species in the Greater Caribbean, 1 species in the TEP.