A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Antennarius commersoni
This particular Giant Frogfish was well camouflage, resting on similar coloured tube corals. Sometimes, the Frogfish 'yawn' to make themselves look bigger to frighten off photographers! Commerson's frogfish grows up to 38 cm (15 in). Like other members of its family, it has a globular, extensible body. The soft skin is covered with small dermal spinules. Its skin is partially covered with a few small, wartlike protuberances, some variably shaped, scab-like blotches, and a few, small eye spots (ocelli) reminiscent of the holes in sponges. Its large mouth is prognathous, allowing it to consume prey as large as itself. Their coloration is extremely variable, as they tend to match their environments. Frogfish can change their coloration in a few weeks. 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. The first dorsal spine, the illicium, is modified for use as a fishing rod. Its extremity is endowed with a characteristic esca (lure), which resembles a small fish or shrimp with a pinkish to brownish coloration. The illicium is twice the length of the second dorsal spine and is often darkly banded. 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. They are well separated from each other and also from the dorsal fin. The pectoral fins are angled, and the pelvic fins help the frogfish move on the bottom and keep a stable position for ambush.
Antennarius commerson lives in the tropical and subtropical waters from the Indian Ocean to the eastern coasts of the Pacific Ocean. It is found in lagoons and sheltered rocky and coral reefs. They are usually associated with big sponges, on underwater ropes, on jetty pillars, or any structures down to 70 m (230 ft) deep, with an average occurrence at 20 m (66 ft) deep
12 Comments
Project Noah Fun Fact: Found in the tropical and subtropical waters from the Indian Ocean to the eastern coasts of the Pacific Ocean, the Giant Frogfish inhabits lagoons and sheltered rocky and coral reefs. This species of frogfish shows many colors and can slowly change from one color to another until it matches the color of the surrounding sponges or corals. ~Wikipedia
Giant Frogfish (Antennarius commersoni)
spotted in Batangas, Philippines by PN member AlbertKang
https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/pho...
Thanks, @venusflytrap2000 :)
Terrific!
Thanks, @Polilla :)
Yes, @Sukanya.
I have video footages of other species of Frogfishes which shows more interesting behaviours! Do check them out here :
1. Juvenile Frogfish trying to eat another Frogfish of the same size :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL8Mhl2q...
2. Frogfish brooding eggs on its body :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBB0jfb4...
Oh My! The things that exist underwater...Thanks.
Thanks, @Ava, @Pililia and @Mark for your kind words and support :)
Oh no.. that's crazy!
Albert! You continue to amaze!!
Thanks, @BrunoMoller and @triggsturner, lucky timing to get the yawning shot :)
Superb Albert!
Beautiful picture!!!