Wildlife
Frogfish can jet propel themselves along or use their pelvic fins to walk across the sea floor, inflating like a pufferfish when threatened. These stocky anglerfish have a plump, often brightly coloured, body. The unusual shape and skin texture allows them to blend in with the reefs on which they live.
A modified dorsal fin topped with a wriggling lure is used to attract their prey. This lure resembles a fish, shrimp or worm and can be folded back between the other dorsal fins for protection. If lost or eaten the lure can be regenerated.
Frogfish are carnivores, eating fish, crustaceans and even one another. After mating the smaller male must retreat quickly or risk being eaten.
Scientific name: Antennariidae
Rank: Family
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Fishing fish
Frogfish bait their own bodies to lure their prey into trap-jaws.
Frogfish bait their own bodies to lure their prey into trap-jaws.
Fish feet
Legs evolved in the water before they were used on land.
Legs evolved in the water before they were used on land.
The Frogfish can be found in a number of locations including: Africa, Asia, Australia, North America. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Frogfish distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
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.
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Sea bed
Brackish water
Estuaries
Reefs
Ambush predator
Predation defence
Adapted to swimming
Camouflage
Carnivorous
Mimicry
Predator
Spawning