FACT BOX:

FROGFISH

Also known as anglerfish in Australia. Their stocky, plump, high-backed, unstreamlined body is scaleless and bare, often covered with bumpy, bifurcated spinules. They have short bodies with 18 to 23 vertebrae and mouths pointed upward with palatal teeth. Often bright coloured to blend into coral surroundings. Name : (various genera) Antennarius, Antennatus, Fowlerichthys, Histrio, Nudiantennarius

Family : Antennariidae

Size : Range from 2.5 to 38 centimetres long

Habitat : Found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and the Red Sea. Surface temperature of waters where they are is usually 20 degrees Celsius or higher. Found generally on the ocean floor around coral or rock reefs up to 100 metres deep Behaviour : Camouflages itself to hide from predators and sometimes to mimic a potential meal to its prey. Can resemble stones or corals with unusual shape, colour and skin textures. Many can change their colour. They don’t move much, preferring to lie on the sea floor and wait for prey. They approach prey slowly using pectoral and pelvic fins to walk along the floor. Younger frogfish can propel themselves forward like a jet by rhythmically forcing their breath-water out through their gill openings