# Butler's frogfish

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{{Short description|Species of fish}}
{{Speciesbox
| grandparent_authority = Hart ''et al.'', 2022
| parent_authority = [J. D. Ogilby](/source/James_Douglas_Ogilby), 1907
| display_parents = 2
| taxon = Tathicarpus butleri
| authority = [J. D. Ogilby](/source/James_Douglas_Ogilby), 1907
| synonyms = ''Tathicarpus appeli'' <small>J. D. Ogilby, 1922</small><br/>
''Tathicarpus muscosus'' <small>J. D. Ogilby, 1907</small>
}}

'''Butler's frogfish''', '''Butler's anglerfish''' or the '''blackspot anglerfish''' ('''''Tathicarpus butleri'''''), is a rare species of marine [ray-finned fish](/source/Actinopterygii), the only member of the [subfamily](/source/subfamily) '''Tathicarpinae''' of the [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) [Antennariidae](/source/Antennariidae), the frogfishes.<ref name="fishbase">{{FishBase |Tathicarpus|butleri |month=March |year=2009}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last1=Fricke |first1=R. |last2=Eschmeyer |first2=W. N. |last3=Van der Laan |first3=R. |date=2025 |title=ESCHMEYER'S CATALOG OF FISHES: CLASSIFICATION |url=https://www.calacademy.org/eschmeyers-catalog-of-fishes-classification |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=California Academy of Sciences |language=en}}</ref> The only member of its genus, this species is the most [derived](/source/Synapomorphy) member of its family and represents a separate lineage from all other frogfishes.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Shedlock, A.M. |author2=Pietsch, T.W. |author3=Haygood, M.G. |author4=Bentzen, P. |author5=Hasegawa, M. |date=2004 |title=Molecular systematics and life history evolution of anglerfishes (Teleostei: Lophiiformes): evidence from mitochondrial DNA |journal=Steenstrupia |volume=28 |pages=129–144}}</ref> It was previously thought to be the only member of the family Tathicarpidae, this name being proposed by [Pamela B. Hart](/source/Pamela_B._Hart) ''et al'' in 2022, but this lineage is now treated as a subfamily of the Antennariidae.<ref name = "Hart ''et al''">{{cite journal |author=Pamela B. Hart |author2=Rachel J. Arnold |author3=Fernando Alda |author4=Christopher P. Kenaley |author5=Theodore W. Pietsch |author6=Destinee Hutchinson |author7=Prosanta Chakrabarty |display-authors=3 |title=Evolutionary relationships of anglerfishes (Lophiiformes) reconstructed using ultraconserved elements |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |volume=171 |year=2022 |article-number=107459 |issn=1055-7903 |doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107459 |pmid=35351632 |bibcode=2022MolPE.17107459H |doi-access=free }}</ref> It is found off the southern coast of [New Guinea](/source/New_Guinea), and along the coasts of [Western Australia](/source/Western_Australia) to 33° S [latitude](/source/latitude), the [Northern Territory](/source/Northern_Territory), and [Queensland](/source/Queensland) to 22° S latitude. A [benthic](/source/benthic) species, it inhabits inshore [tropical](/source/tropical) waters and [coral reef](/source/coral_reef)s to a maximum depth of {{cvt|145|m|ft|-1}}, though most are found shallower than {{cvt|45|m|ft|-1}}.<ref name="pietsch and grobecker">{{cite book|title=Frogfishes of the World: Systematics, Zoogeography, and Behavioral Ecology |author1=Pietsch, T.W.  |author2=Grobecker, D.B.  |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Stanford University Press |date=1987 |isbn=0-8047-1263-8}}</ref><ref name="mcgrouther">{{cite web|author=McGrouther, M. |date=25 January 2021 |url=https://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/blackspot-anglerfish-tathicarpus-butleri-ogilby-1907/ |title=Blackspot Anglerfish, ''Tathicarpus butleri'' Ogilby, 1907|website=Australian Museum|access-date=30 November 2025}}</ref> Its [specific epithet](/source/specific_name_(zoology)) honours its discoverer [Dr. A. Graham Butler](/source/Arthur_Butler_(historian)).<ref name="ogilby"/>

This species reaches a maximum length of {{cvt|10|cm|in}}. It has a stout, laterally compressed body with a large head longer than deep. Like other [anglerfish](/source/anglerfish)es, the first dorsal fin ray is modified into a lure for attracting prey. The illicium ("fishing rod") of the Butler's frogfish is very long, measuring 24-47% the [standard length](/source/standard_length), and lacks dermal spines. At the tip is a distinct esca ("fishing lure") that may measure 22% the standard length, consisting of a thin, broad appendage covered with hair-like filaments and bearing 1-2 dark spots at the base. The mouth is protrusible, with many slender, sharp [teeth](/source/teeth) on the [jaw](/source/jaw)s, [vomer](/source/vomer), and [palatines](/source/palatine_bone). The [dorsal](/source/dorsal_fin) and [anal fin](/source/anal_fin)s are tall, containing 10-11 and 7 [fin ray](/source/fin_ray)s respectively; the [caudal fin](/source/caudal_fin) is long and contains 9 rays.<ref name="pietsch and grobecker"/><ref name="mcgrouther"/><ref name="ogilby"/>

The Butler's frogfish has unusually long and "arm-like" [pectoral fin](/source/pectoral_fin) lobes, which unlike other frogfish are largely detached from the sides of the body. Its genus name ''Tathicarpus'', meaning "extending wrist", refers to this trait. The fish uses these pectoral fins to clamber along the sea bottom. The number of pectoral fin rays is reduced (6-7 as opposed to 8 or more in other frogfish), and the Butler's frogfish can move each ray individually like "fingers" to steady itself or to hold on to objects. The [pelvic fin](/source/pelvic_fin)s contain 5 rays each and are placed beneath the body. The skin is densely covered with bifurcate spinules; there are also varying numbers of large, fringed filaments over the head and body. The coloration ranges from pale gray to greenish to brown, with darker markings. The fin membranes are thin and [translucent](/source/Hyaline).<ref name="pietsch and grobecker"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.frogfish.ch/species-arten/Tathicarpus-butleri.html|title=''Tathicarpus butleri''|website=frogfish.ch|lang=en, de}}</ref><ref name="ogilby">{{cite journal |author=Ogilby, J.G. |title=Some New Pendiculate Fishes |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland |year=1907|volume=20|pages= 17–25 |doi=10.5962/bhl.part.14401 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q654990}}

Category:Histiophryninae
Category:Fish described in 1907

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Butler's frogfish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butler's_frogfish) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butler's_frogfish?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.