Commerson's frogfish was first formally described in 1798 as Lophius commeron by the French naturalist Bernard Germain de Lacépède with its type locality given as Mauritius.

[3] The 5th edition of Fishes of the World classifies the genus Antennarius in the family Antennariidae within the suborder Antennarioidei within the order Lophiiformes, the anglerfishes.

However, the dominant coloration goes from grey to black, passing through a whole range of related hues, such as cream, pink, yellow, red, and brown, and also usually with circular eye spots or blotches that are darker than the background.

Its extremity is endowed with a characteristic esca (lure), which resembles a small fish or shrimp with a pinkish to brownish coloration.

The second dorsal spine is practically straight and is mobile, the third one is bent towards the back of the body, and both are membranously attached to the head.

[9] As all frogfishes, A. hispidus is a voracious carnivore which attacks any small animals that pass within range, mainly other fish, but sometimes even congeners.