Very few creatures on earth are as amazing and diverse as
the frogfish. The discovery of one on a dive can excite any self-respecting
diver or photographer as everyone want’s to get a chance to see it. At first glance the frogfish remains
motionless, appearing as a large headed globose and scabby creature that could
hardly fend for themselves. But in reality the frogfish is a calculating and
veracious predator that has truly mastered their domain. But what makes them so
unique isn’t just their coloration, size or texture or the ability to remain
motionless for hours at a time. It isn’t even the little jets behind their legs
that helps them swim, what makes them truly unique is that they are all a type
of anglerfish that come equipped with a fishing rod and lure. If that isn’t
enough to grab a photographers attention then im not sure what is, so lets take
a quick peek at a few more uncommon facts of these amazing critters in the
secret world of frogfish.
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A colorful Warty frogfish (Antennarius maculata) is caught in the
act hunting for its next meal. Frogfish use their rod and lure to excite and
attract their prey by repeatedly extending and flicking their lure creating an
irresistible appearance of an easy meal. Its the unique rod and lure that
describes all frogfish in the order of Lophiiformes
and according to research this suborder of antennae bearing fish comprises
14 genera and more the 46 species worldwide |
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Ranging in color even within the same species is not
uncommon making them tough to identify. This yellow warty is squaring off with my
lens port evidently having had enough of my presence. Looking closely you can
see that the lure has sustained damage and is now bent to one side.
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The
most common of the bunch is also the largest which makes sense as they are
probably the easiest to spot. The commersons (commersoni) can grow up to 45 centimeters tall when fully grown and
prefer reefs and walls. I speculate that these two are probably males that
haven’t reached maturity. They cohabitated on the same coral head in 30 meters
of water for over a year and perhaps settled here during their larval state | | |
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The smallest fully grown frogfish is the miniscule pygmy
frogfish (tuberosi) which when fully
grown will reach a maximum size of 1.25 centimeters. Found living amongst rubble in the shallows near runoffs and
estuaries.
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Mating and
Spawning
Caption 5- Manny,
Moe and Jacky (Two male book ends, female in the center)
Mating involves a selective process of courtship, mate
blocking and a powerful pheromone released by the female to attract her
suitors. But the actual act is accomplished by cast spawning. The process
usually occurs during a full moon and accompanied by a moderate current to help
ensure a maximum survival rate of the eggs. The female swims towards the
surface as the male assists by pushing her with all his might. As the gelatinous
egg mass is released from the female it begins to unroll forming a loose
ribbon. The excited male releases his sperm creating a milky cloud that binds
with the sticky egg raft. From there, the eggs will drift until they begin to
mature becoming less buoyant and settling on the substrate. There are even two
subspecies that brood their young and
From the roughly 45,000+- eggs released very few are
successfully fertilized and even less make it to the through hatchling stage
often being consumed by their siblings.
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Soon after the juveniles emerge from their eggs they
begin to hunt, consuming mycid shrimp from the sand for quick energy. The
bright orange coloration could mimic poisonous flatworms to help them survive
immediate predation.
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Camouflaged hunters, the Hairy Frogfish (Antennarius
striatus) are amongst the most
sought after critters worldwide and are considered a holly grail find for
photographers and divers alike. They can
range from pink to black in color but typically have visible lines or stripes
on their body. The A. striatus is
normally found on the substrate or perched just above it. They will live out
their entire lifecycle here and have adapted some very unique survival tactics
in the process including an oversized worm like lure, the use of pheromones to
hunt and its namesake hairy appendages. Yawning amongst all frogfish could be a
show of stress or aggression or even an attempt at appearing larger than what
they really are to ward off the paparazzi.
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The Black version of the hairy frogfish is considered
rare and was a treat to see. It proves how adaptive frogfish fish can be even
within the same species. The black coloration helps it to blaend with the black
sands of the region.
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Courting A.striatus
The male is attracted by an irresistible pheromone produced by the female.
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Antisocial Behavior in frogfish is often seen before a
mating cycle has begun. The pushy male just wont take NO! for an answer and assuming
the female was a little more than irritated by the male suitor, she let him
have it. There isnt any exterior organs or markings to tell a male frogfish
apart from a female but the behavior can sometimes give it away.
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