Monkfish (Lophius piscatorius)

The Monkfish is a name used to referred to several different species of saltwater fish including Lophius piscatorius.  These fish, much like the Stonefish and Frogfish, are masters of camouflage.  Monkfish have a series of appendages that look much like seaweed, and help them to blend in perfectly.  They lie in wait on the bottom and use a "lure" of sorts that comes out of their heads.  This "lure" is actually their first dorsal spine.  As its prey gets close this fish will suddenly open its mouth and the suction brings the prey quickly into the Monkfish's mouth.  They are able to swallow fish almost the same size as them due to their expandable stomachs!      

Lophius piscatorius goes by a few different names throughout the world including the Anglerfish, Fishing Frog, Frogfish and the Sea Devil. These odd creatures are found in waters of up to 120 meters in places like the Northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and Barents Sea.  Reaching lengths of 2 meters and weighing in at 60kg, much of their weigh and length is in their heads.  This species of Monkfish have two large rounded breast fins that are located behind their heads.  They use these breast fins as a stabilizer when they are laying on the bottom.

You can check out the Monkfish in the videos below.  We are not able to tell if these species are indeed Lophius piscatorius.


If you have any questions or comments about the Monkfish leave us a comment below.

Clown Frogfish (Antennarius maculatus)

The Clown Frogfish or Antennarius maculatus is just one of the over 45 different species of Frogfish that inhabit our oceans. This saltwater fish goes by a few different names including the Wartskin Angler, Warty Frogfish or Wartskin Frogfish. As you can see in the pictures this fish looks a lot like a rock or even a piece of coral. This disguise makes it harder for potential predators to spot it.

The coloration of the Clown Frogfish can vary by quite a bit. Some are brown or red, others yellow or purple and even a few white ones. You see, this fish actually has the ability to change its colors to blend in with whatever the colors of its habitat might be. They are not particularly large fish grow to only about 6" in maximum length. Like other Frogfish this fish can actually walk along the bottom using its fins as legs! Clown Frogfish are often kept in an aquarium setting. They are not the hardest to care for and require a tank of about 20 gallons or more. These fish are well suited for a reef aquarium. They should be fed saltwater feeder shrimp as first to help them become accustom to the aquarium. After a bit they will eat a normal carnivorous diet. The following water conditions are acceptable for this fish, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4 and sg 1.020-1.025. You can check out the Clown Frogfish along with a few other creatures in the video below...

In the wild this Frogfish will ambush its prey by using its camouflage and lying very still. When its dinner gets a bit too close this fish will grab it and swallow it whole! Their mouths are quite large so they can accommodate a fish almost its own size! Since the Clown Frogfish has no real teeth it lets the juices digest its prey whole.

Frogfish (The Strangest Fish In The Ocean)

Taking a look at a Frogfish is like seeing evolution with your own eyes! These saltwater fish have developed leg-like fins that they use to scurry across the bottom of the ocean floor. They can also change their colors to blend into coral reefs where they wait for prey to scurry by. If that wasn't strange enough, Frogfish have a worm like lure that comes right out of their heads to attract their dinner (see video below). Frogfish, true to their name can grow wart like appendages that only add to their unbelievable camouflage. Watch the video below as the mommy and the baby Hairy Frogfish walk across the bottom. Can you believe the lure that comes out of their heads!! Unbelievable looks just like a worm!


The Frogfish pictured above are Long-lure Frogfish (Antennarius multiocellatus), but there are actually over 45 different species of Frogfish including the popular aquarium Clown Frogfish! Most are found on the bottom near coral reefs no deeper than 125 meters on average. Check out this next species of Frogfish, it has a bizarre lure as well...


Finally here is the Giant Frogfish (Antennarius commerson), you can see they are masters of camouflage...


If you have more information you would like to share about the Frogfish just leave a comment...