Deep down : Frogfish

From Ayu's diving trip at Lembeh in Sulawesi recently
(thanks Ayu for sharing the photos) :

(Hairy Frogfish)

(Frogfish)

(Clown Frogfish)

Simple facts taken from Wikipedia :

Frogfishes, family Antennariidae, are a type of anglerfish in the order Lophiiformes. They are known as anglerfishes in Australia, where 'frogfish' refers to a different type of fish. Frogfishes are found in almost all tropical and subtropical oceans and seas around the world, the primary exception being the Mediterranean Sea.

~ Their habitat lies for the most part between the 20-degree isotherms, in areas where the surface level water usually has a temperature of 20 C (68 F) or more.

~ Frogfish have a stocky appearance, atypical of fish. Ranging from 2.5-38cm (1-15 inches) long, their plump, high-backed, non-streamlined body is scaleless and bare, often covered with bumpy, bifurcated spinules.

~ The unusual appearance of the frogfish is designed to conceal it from predators and sometimes to mimic a potential meal to its prey.

~ Frogfish generally do not move very much, preferring to lie on the sea floor and wait for prey to approach. Once the prey is spotted, they can approach slowly using their pectoral and pelvic fins to walk along the floor.

~ In open water, frogfish can swim with strokes of the tail fin.

~ Frogfish eat crustaceans, other fish, and even each other.





Interesting website :

http://www.frogfish.ch/species-arten/all-frogfish-species.html