The Weird and Odd-Looking Frogfish
Some information about frogfish.
Frogfishes are a type of anglerfish that belongs to the family Antennariidae in the order Lophiiformes. The family has over 40 species in 13 genera. Of these Australia has 23 species in 12 genera. The numbers of species in this family will almost certainly increase as research and collecting continues.
Frogfishes are generally small fish averaging from 10 to 20 cm. in length with big globoid heads. Most anglerfishes have warts, whisker-like filaments, lumps, and bumps on the body. They come in different colors and at times change its color to match its surrounding as a form of camouflage. Frogfishes swim in an unconventional way; they use ‘jet propulsion’ to ‘walk’ on their pectoral fins.
One distinct characteristic that differentiate frogfishes from other angler fish is the appearance of three extended dorsal fin spines on their heads. Their first dorsal fin acts as a luring tool to attract prey. The lure consists of a ‘stalk’ (illicium) and a ‘bait’ (esca) and may resemble a worm, crustacean, or small fish.
Frogfishes are usually found dwelling in sponge gardens, rocky and coral reefs, at up to 100 meters (330 ft) depth. Here are some species of frogfish.
Antennarius maculatus – Clown Frogfish
A small frogfish that grows to about 8-10 cm. in length that are usually white or yellow and comes with the red or brown blemish. The skin is covered with warts and some rounded spots. Clownfish second dorsal spine has a big crust and generally pushed forward when the animal crawls on the bottom. Their common habitats include: lagoon, bay or in the back reef.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/2649061699_2eac4d8257.jpg?v=0
Antennarius striatus – Striped Anglerfish
The Striped Anglerfish that grows up to 18-22cm are abundant in tropical waters in particular the Indo-Pacific region. They can be found in shallow waters or at waters more than 200 meters in depth. Their colors varies from white, orange, yellow brown, gray or black. To catch their prey, striped frogfish hide amongst sponges, stays motionless and if the prey comes closer to investigate the moving lure, the anglerfish rapidly opens its large mouth and sucks in its prey.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2649079897_755051034d.jpg?v=0
Antennarius Pictus – Juvenile Painted Frogfish
The Painted Anglerfish are found living in estuaries and throughout much of the tropical and temperate Indo-Pacific region. Their colors varies from yellow, red, orange, green brown or yellow. One distinct mark painted frogfish has is its saddle-like markings dorsally. The pectoral fins sometimes have often white tips, and the tail usually bears commonly three spots. This anglerfish can grow up to 16 cm in length.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/2648875787_88e735d8ff.jpg?v=0
Antennarius Multiocellatus – Longlure frogfish
The Longlure frogfish is a short, fat, round species and commonly grows up to 20 cm long. It has a thick skin covered with modified scales (dermal spicules). Most long lure frogfish coloration varies from bright red, dark green, pale yellow or reddish brown. It has large mouth, small eyes and pectoral fins that are situated on its stalks. One visible and peculiar mark of long lure frogfish are is the black spots across the body no matter what the base color. Longlure frogfish are found mostly in the tropical western part of the Atlantic ocean. It is inhabiting shallow reefs.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1367/3164884659_84e6562586.jpg?v=0
Antennarius Commerson – Giant Frogfish
As the name implies, this is a large frogfish species that usually reach 35 cm. in length. Its second dorsal spine is connected to its head by a thick membrane. They are commonly seen in the warm waters This species is known to occur in the warm tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region living on coral reefs and in lagoons from a depth of 5 to 70 meters. Giant frogfish can come in different colors such as; pink, yellow, red, green, orange, brown and black and most of the body has blotches of lighter or darker colors.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2309/2651553161_c67d745981.jpg?v=0
Antennarius Ocellatus – Ocellated frogfish
The ocellated frogfish are found in the western Atlantic and as far as the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea dwelling in rocky and coral reefs. The largest frogfish in the western Pacific, it can grow up to 38 cm,. in length. They can be easily identified by the three prominent black spots on each side, each surrounded by lighter ring. They have large eyes short and sphere-shaped bodies. Ocellated frogfish can have white, yellow, brown or black color pattern.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Frogfish_ocellated.jpg
Psychedelic Frogfish
The psychedelic frogfish is a newly discovered species found only in the waters near Ambon Island and Bali, Indonesia known for its psychedelic pink and white stripes arranged in a fingerprint pattern that covers the entire body. The skin surrounding the eyes is bright turquoise, and makes the eyes look slightly larger and unlike other frogfishes, its color never changes. They can grow up to 9cm. In length.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Psychedelic_frogfish_08Am7A1b.jpg
Antennarius Hispidus – Hisbid Frogfish
Hispid frogfish is a medium-sized frogfish usually about 15-20 cm. in length and short skin filaments. They can come in different colors that include: white, yellow, brown, black), usually with dark stripes and radiating lines around the eyes.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Antennarius-hispidus-2.jpg
Antennarius Coccineus – Scarlet Frogfish
The Scarlet frogfish is found mostly in the waters of the Indo- Pacific region and as well as in Mexico and Panama inhabiting rocky bottoms. Their colors varies from brown to dark brown, yellow-brown, yellowish white, white and pink. They can grow up to 13 cm. long
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Antennarius-coccineus2.jpg
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55 Responses to “The Weird and Odd-Looking Frogfish”
On March 19, 2009 at 4:44 am
this is cool man~
I love it when I read your stuff, it makes me feel smarter for knowing stg extra
thanks~
On March 19, 2009 at 4:49 am
What fascinating creatures! Thanks for this, great photos with this too.
On March 19, 2009 at 6:38 am
Awesome article Pap, love the pics and its so well written
On March 19, 2009 at 7:01 am
Amazing creatures. Thank you!
On March 19, 2009 at 7:06 am
Awesome and very informative article with some really cool pic’s as well.
On March 19, 2009 at 7:19 am
Great stuff! I learned a lot.
On March 19, 2009 at 7:32 am
unbelievable papaleng – you should be working for National Geographic!!
On March 19, 2009 at 7:45 am
This are really spectacular photos. Some of these guys are really ugly.:) Great job.
On March 19, 2009 at 7:59 am
Though odd, they’re beautiful.
On March 19, 2009 at 8:33 am
Do they hop too while swimming? How long? Do they say…’Kukak? lol
they look weird…
but nicely presented.
On March 19, 2009 at 8:55 am
Simply odd looking.
On March 19, 2009 at 9:21 am
As always, I love the pics you choose papa!
On March 19, 2009 at 9:28 am
How interesting and the pictures are great. I have heard of the frogfish but, I have never seen one and had no idea there were so many different kind. This article is a great learning tool for those like me who live inland.
On March 19, 2009 at 9:48 am
Another really interesting and well written article. Great pictures too.
Christine
On March 19, 2009 at 10:18 am
fascinating again papaleng.. thumbs up!
On March 19, 2009 at 10:25 am
Some of them I think are actually quite cute..lol!
On March 19, 2009 at 10:57 am
Lol, I didn’t know there are such fish!
On March 19, 2009 at 11:03 am
Fascinating article, papaleng. The pictures are stunning. These sea creatures are strangely beautiful in an alien sort of way. Hope that makes sense! They certainly are exotic.
On March 19, 2009 at 11:09 am
Amazing sea creatures,well done.
On March 19, 2009 at 11:55 am
Aren’t these little guys amazing. I saw of them on the IMAX. Very cool!
On March 19, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Very interesting article!
On March 19, 2009 at 12:31 pm
ah my friend i see you are succesful again with this one its wonderful i love the pictures
On March 19, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Fascinating creatures. You’ve done it again. Bravo!
On March 19, 2009 at 3:30 pm
wow… excellent once again! the pink color frog fish is awesome… hehe
On March 19, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Different, but thats what makes them interesting and appealing to me!:)
On March 19, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Formidable with great facts and vivid pictures too. Great work.
Monica
On March 19, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I hate to be ‘that guy’ but the proper way to express a genus and species is with the genus being capitalized and the species being lower-case (Genus species). Also, it should be underlined or italicized, preferably.
Sorry…I get annoyed and agitated about such things…probably been marked down by professors for the exact same mistakes.
On March 19, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Awesome! ..soo wonderful. well-written piece with most beautiful pics insight. I loved it! Thanx 4 sharing
On March 19, 2009 at 7:23 pm
If I met something like this in a dark alley (or while snorkeling) it would scare the living daylights out of me.
It’s cool though. Great article!
On March 19, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Very informative and well researched eventually resulting to a well understood piece. Thanks for this one kabayan.
On March 19, 2009 at 7:43 pm
That is one wierd looking fish. Great article.
On March 19, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Awesome stuff.
On March 19, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Interesting article.Are they being consumed?Since they belong to rare variety, they may not be commonly available.Am I right?Thanks.
On March 19, 2009 at 9:22 pm
yah, are they edible? i just hope not because i won’t dare try one…lol
On March 19, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Strange looking fish but an interesting article. Well written.
On March 19, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Guys I appreciate all your comments and remarks, I\’ll take them as a challenge to further improve my craft.. Mr. Strangelove I just want you to know that you have given one constructive criticism.
On March 20, 2009 at 12:09 am
Amazing….but very ugly! Does the painted stay one color or change?
On March 20, 2009 at 4:43 am
Absolutely marvelous creatures.
On March 20, 2009 at 9:31 am
An interesting read with lots of intriguing information.
On March 20, 2009 at 11:03 am
This is all very interesting to me. I am especially interested in all the frogfish. Excellent work.
On March 20, 2009 at 2:13 pm
another great achievement again papaleng! great job!
On March 20, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Very informative and fascinating article..You always found great things..
On March 20, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Weird and odd-looking indeed. Great work, papaleng!
On March 20, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Colors are lovely, but what funny creatures! I think God must have a sense of humor!
On March 20, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Looking at the pictures, it is almost as if they are not real. They are so different from the fish I am used to. Good job of research. Thanks for sharing.
On March 21, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Now I know there is such creatures like this. Sort of Darwinian evolution evidence.
On March 22, 2009 at 12:09 am
Very kool!
http://swagbucks.com/?cmd=sb-register&rb=0
On March 22, 2009 at 2:52 am
amazing neve seen before
On March 22, 2009 at 6:13 am
nice job! the clown frogfish looks hilarious! haha! i enjoyed reading this.
On March 22, 2009 at 6:52 am
Those fish look like cartoon representations of fish
Excellent information
On March 22, 2009 at 2:12 pm
So interesting! Thank you for sharing – those are some crazy looking fish. They don’t even look real!
On March 22, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Well-researched. It’s amazing how you come up with ideas for your writings.
On March 23, 2009 at 5:11 am
Interesting! Cool pics =)
On May 3, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Awesome! Some of them are cute! (Not the orange one)
On June 8, 2009 at 4:10 am
yeah we’re also thought of the proper way to write scientific names such as these:) nice post. very colorful pictures (they really look like coral reefs to me) and concise explanation.
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