The frogfish, featured in our new Weapons of Mass Evolution exhibit, is one of the ocean's most amazing predators!
Ranging in a variety of colors, textures, and sizes these fish have adapted to blend in to their habitat on the ocean floor and on coral reefs around the world ("Frogfish- Antennaridae)!
A relative of the angler fish, frogfish are solitary, predatory creatures that use their clever camouflage and worm-like lures to attract prey close enough to swallow them whole (Zubi, 2014). Frogfish are known to swallow anything that will fit in their mouths, which are capable of expanding to over 12 times resting size ("Five Frogfish Facts", 2014)!
A distinctive feature of the frogfish is the two leg-like fins on either side of their bodies. These strange fins grip onto surfaces, allowing them to stay better attached and stay still as they anticipate their prey. Unlike many sea creatures, most frogfish often do not have a swim bladder, which would allow them to float easily; while frogfish are capable of swimming they normally prefer to walk (Zubi, 2014).
All frogfish begin as clusters of 40,000 to 180,000 eggs, attached to a surface by their parents. Parent frogfish will sometimes protect their eggs until they hatch, eating anything that may threaten their clusters. Depending on the species, some frogfish can live for over a decade in the wild ("Giant Frogfish", 2013).
Frogfish are fasinating creatures and are common to many aquariums because of their attractive appearance ("Frogfish- Antennaridae). They have very few predators other than larger frogfish and sometimes Moray Eels ("Giant Frogfish", 2013).
Want to know more about the frogfish?
Then visit our Weapons of Mass Evolution exhibit!
Works Cited:
- "Five Frogfish Facts." RSS. PADI, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
- "Frogfish - Antennaridae." Frogfish : UnderwaterAsia.info. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.
- "Mystic Aquarium." Giant Frogfish -. Mystic Aquarium, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
- Zubi, Teresa. "www.frogfish.ch." Frogfishes, Anglerfishes: Behavior, Luring, Camouflage, Identification Key, All Frogfish Species. N.p., 27 Sept. 2014. Web. 24 Oct. 2014.
Liz
