Frogfish - Antennaridae

Frogfish are one of those weird & wonderful underwater inhabitants that divers simply love to discover. 

In addition to their superb camouflage, their incredible variety of colour and texture make them fascinating to observe, while their behaviour is equally unusual.

When Frogfish bother to move at all, they tend to walk, rather than swim. They fish rather than activley hunt and their downturned mouths and unusual body shape add to a real sense of character.

Frogfish identification
Frogfish Identification Image

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Did You Know?
Frogfish may appear slow and clumsy, but they can attack their prey in as little as 1/6000 of a second.

The fastest movement in the animal kingdom!
  • Painted Frogfish

    Rickard Zerpe

    Painted Frogfish
  • Giant Frogfish

    Laszlo Ilyes

    Giant Frogfish
  • Freckled Frogfish

    Rickard Zerpe

    Freckled Frogfish
  • Hairy Frogfish

    Christian Gloor

    Hairy Frogfish
  • Warty frogfish

    Rickard Zerpe

    Warty frogfish

Family variety

There are about 44 members of the highly specialised Frogfish family. All Frogfish are a similar shape but can vary greatly in size colouration, patterns and markings. There is alot of variety within species as well, two frogfish of the same species can have very different markings and colours, making it very difficult to correctly identify many frogfish.

Behaviour

Frogfish are ambush predators, catching their food using a lure on a long filament attached to their heads. As a result, they spend most of their time stationary, waiting for the right fish to take the bait. Unsuspecting fish are drawn in to investigate what looks like a tasty snack, not noticing the perfectly camouflaged frogfish close behind it. In a lightning quick action the unucky prey is sucked into the frogfishes' enormous mouth.
Because of their unique feeding strategy and their amazing camouflage they rarely need to move to pursue prey or escape predators. When they do move then often walk on modified fins as legs. They can swim but rarely do so unless escaping danger or mating.

Reproduction

As she becomes ready to mate the female starts producing eggs.As her abdomen swells, she becomes larger & more buoyant, attracting the attention of nearby males. As her buoyancy increases the male starts to nudge her repeatedly until both float to the surface where the eggs are released and fertilised, forming a floating gelatinous raft. This raft is usually left to float pelagically, however some species attach the eggs to their bodies and guard them until they hatch. Juvenile frogfish are pelagic for about 2 months once hatched, after which they settle on a reef.

Diet

Frogfish eat a variety of fish and crustaceans.Their bones are extremely flexible, allowing them to swallow a fish up to twice their own size. They have even been known to eat other. Although they will happily eat almost any fish they can catch, different species have specific favourites, their lures each mimicking a different appealing snack for passing fish.

Defences

The best defence a frogfish has is its camouflage. Not only is it essential for catching prey, it also helps baffle would be predators. Most potential predators have great difficulty in picking out a Frogfish from the surrounding habitat unless they move. Frogfish are also able to suck in water and puff up their bodies, making them too large for most predators to swallow.
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FACTFILE

frogfish speciesSPECIES:   44

sizeSIZE RANGE:   4-40 cm

distributionDISTRIBUTION:

Global. Widespread throughout region.

habitatHABITAT:

Coastal areas with plenty of algal growth & sponges. Wrecks, jetties and artificial reefs. 

threatsTHREATS:

Few

Identification tips

  • Frogfish have a lure that entices their prey close enough to be caught in their lightening fast jaws.

  • A large, downturned mouth is characteristic of the frogfish family. If you are lucky, you might even see them yawn!

  • A Frogfish's skin pattern often adapts to blend in seamlessly with their surroundings. Blotches, warts and patchy growths add the finishing touches to their camouflage.

  • Frogfish have modified fins that look more like legs. Although they can swim, they often choose to walk instead.

Popular species

Frogfish are a magical find on any dive. Discover some of the most popular species encountered by scuba divers.

Giant Frogfish

(Antennarius commersoni)

Frogfish

The Giant Frogfish it the largest in the family and can grow up to 50cm. They can vary significantly in appearance to blend in to their habitat and surroundings, but often have growths and warts to help with camouflage. Identified best by their large size, they are often found perching on the top of sponges or high above the bottom on wrecks or artificial reefs.

Clown Frogfish

(Antennarius maculatus)

Frogfish

With their colourful designs Clown Frogfish are one of the easiest frogfish to identify. Usually yellow or white with black markings these little frogfish can be some of the most striking in their family. Juveniles also have incredible and easily identifiable markings. They are sometimes known as the Warty Frogfish.

Painted Frogfish

(Antennarius pictus)

Frogfish

This species comes in a wide variety of colours and markings, including pink, red, black, white & yellow. Some have smooth skin with markings that mimic the pores of the sponges they live in. Others have growths and warts to mimic algae in their environment. Juveniles also have incredible and easily identifiable markings, often mimicking poinsonous Flatworms.

Where to find

Bohol

Dive with turtles at Balicasag, Bohol

The island of Bohol lies just to the east of Cebu in the Viasayas region of the Philippines and is a popular island for tourists. 

The area's diving is also a major attraction, with great macro life, plentiful turtles and lovely coral reefs. Good diving options are available on the west coast, and also the quieter south-east region of Anda.

Maumere

Maumere diving

Maumere is a beautiful bay on the north coast of Flores. It is an area that is famous for its diversity.

Sperm Whales, Pilot Whales, Dolphins & Whalesharks cruise the bay, good encounters with Sharks & large Rays are possible and there is a wealth of macro life to keep any diver fascinated for hours.

Lembeh Strait

Diving Lembeh is good for underwater photography

Lembeh Strait separates little Lembeh island from the north-eastern shores of Sulawesi. It is famed for its exceptional muck diving.

The coastline either side of the Lembeh Strait has a rugged beauty, but it is the action below the waves that draws divers here.

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