Hairy Frogfish

ID points

• Covered all over with hair-like filaments of skin
• The lure at the tip of its rod looks like a wriggling worm
• Walks step by step over the bottom on its pectoral and pelvic fins

Basics

Family

Antennariidae

Length

10–20 cm

Depth

1-40 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Coral reefs and sponge beds of the Indo-Pacific

Diet

Fish, crustaceans

Easily confused with

FrogfishPectoral fins like hands, used to walk over the bottomLeaf ScorpionfishBody extremely flattened side to side, like a fallen leafWaspfishDorsal fin starts above the eye and rises high like a sail

Fun fact

The Hairy Frogfish is covered in hair-like skin filaments and can change its colour to match its surroundings. It attracts prey with the lure on the tip of its illicium, a modified first dorsal spine, and once the victim comes close it is swallowed at astonishing speed.