Known as one of the ocean’s masters of camouflage, the frogfish is a fish with a quirky appearance and unique hunting techniques. Because of their intriguing appearance and elusiveness, the frogfish are particularly popular among divers and underwater photographers.
If you seek unique and extraordinary marine encounters, spotting a frogfish in its natural habitat should be at the top of your list!
Though finding them may be a challenge due to their ability to camouflage, don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about frogfish, including the best places to find them and photography tips.
What is a Frogfish?
A frogfish is a small, bottom-dwelling fish from the anglerfish family. They are known for their stocky, rounded bodies, often covered in spines or hair, and lumpy, textured skin that comes in a variety of bright colors and patterns. These unique features are useful to help them blend with their surroundings and avoid predators.
This unique species can be found in tropical and subtropical oceans around the world, particularly in reefs and sandy bottoms in shallower areas. However, Indonesia and the Philippines are generally the best destinations, as these countries have astounding marine diversity, an abundance of ideal habitats, and a variety of frogfish species.
What is So Special About the Frogfish?
Frogfishes are known for their ability to camouflage, mimicking sponges, corals, or rocks, to make them nearly invisible to predators and prey. Unlike most fish, they don’t swim, but often ‘walk’ along the seabed using their modified fins.
Aside from camouflage, frogfishes also have a unique hunting style, which involves using a specialized appendage that acts as a ‘fishing rod’ to lure in prey while they hide and wait. Once the prey is close enough, the frogfish will expand its mouth to suck in and engulf the prey in milliseconds, making them one of the fastest hunters in the ocean.
Best Places to Dive with Frogfish
Indonesia
This island nation in Southeast Asia is known as one of the best diving destinations in the world, thanks to its diverse marine ecosystem and strategic location. Indonesia is situated within the Coral Triangle, a special marine region with a rich diversity of coral and other marine species. Below are some prime dive destinations to visit to find frogfish and other unique marine critters:
1. Lembeh Strait
Around 9 frogfish species can be found in Lembeh Strait, a diversity that is rather hard to find anywhere else in the world.
Some frogfish species you can find in Lembeh Strait include:
- Commerson’s or Giant Frogfish: The largest in the frogfish species, they can change colors depending on their surroundings.
- Ocellated Frogfish: A rare and small frogfish species that grows only up to 5 cm. It has a distinct orange-edged black spot on its body.
- Sargassum Frogfish: Another rare frogfish species that got its name from the sargassum seaweed it inhabits. They are easily recognized by their large pectoral fins, which have claw-like tips, and an abundance of leafy appendages.
2. Ambon
This region boasts plenty of unique dive sites with fewer crowds, perfect for divers who wish to enjoy a calmer, quieter diving journey. Ambon also has deep cultural and historical significance, being part of Indonesia’s Spice Islands.
In terms of marine life, Ambon is particularly famous for its highly rare psychedelic frogfish, which can only be found in the waters around Ambon and Bali.
Frogfish you can encounter in Ambon:
- Psychedelic Frogfish: One of the rarest and most wanted critters among underwater photographers. It has beautiful pink and white stripes that form a fingerprint pattern, which earned the name ‘psychedelic’
- Hairy Frogfish: Known for the iconic hair-like appendages or ‘spinules’ that grew all over their body, which made them a popular object for underwater photography.
- Clown Frogfish: Also known as warty frogfish because of their textured skin that resembles warts. This species is a favorite among divers due to its bright and bold colors, often accented with contrasting spots or markings.
3. Raja Ampat
As a region with one of the highest marine biodiversity in the world, Raja Ampat has a thriving frogfish population. Additionally, the remote location increases the chances of spotting these fish in different habitats.
Frogfish to find in Raja Ampat:
- Marble-Mouthed Frogfish: An extremely rare type of frogfish famous for its marble-like patterns and intricate skin textures.
- Painted Frogfish: Easily identified by the dark spots or rings that adorn their body. This fish can grow up to 21 cm and has bright coloration, including bright orange, yellow, green, and pink.
Aside from the two species, the hairy and giant frogfish are also commonly sighted in Raja Ampat.
The Philippines
Also part of the Coral Triangle, the Philippines offers pristine dive sites thriving with life. The country is a must-visit for any divers, including macro enthusiasts and underwater photographers alike. In addition, some of the best dive sites in the Philippines are quite remote, which means there will be fewer crowds and you can enjoy a more relaxed diving journey.
1. Anilao
As a world-famous muck diving paradise, Anilao is a must-visit if you wish to see frogfish. In addition, the region’s clear waters provide the perfect backdrop for underwater photography.
Frogfish to find in Anilao:
- Shaggy Frogfish: Also known as the hispid frogfish, zebra anglerfish, or shaggy anglerfish. As the name suggests, these fish are covered in long, filamentous appendages that resemble seaweed or algae, which makes them stand out among other species.
- Randall’s Frogfish: With a size of just under 5 cm, this tiny species has distinct small to large white spots on its body. Their small size makes it a challenge to find them, but still rewarding nonetheless.
- Spotfin Frogfish: A species with dark, circular spots dotting its dorsal fins. They also have a distinct tail base and come in a variety of colors, from white, orange, brown, or yellow.
2. Dauin
With seabeds covered in volcanic black sands and coral rubbles, Dauin boasts a range of incredible muck diving sites. Like Anilao, Dauin is a popular destination for divers who wish to encounter various macro life. Its unique environment allows various species of frogfish to thrive, including the giant, hairy, shaggy, and clown frogfish.
3. Puerto Galera
Puerto Galera is another fantastic muck diving destination in the Philippines. In fact, this area is home to a rich frogfish breeding ground, so you’ll have plenty of chances to spot baby frogfish from various species, including the giant, shaggy, and hairy frogfish.
Frogfish Photography Tips
1. Learn How to Spot Them or Use a Guide
If you want to take pictures of a frogfish, you either need to know how to spot them or use a guide to assist you during your dive. The latter is the easiest option because not only they can help you spot a frogfish, but also guide you to get the perfect shot.
However, if you dive alone, be patient and slowly and carefully look around sponges, blocks, and corals. Look for the outline of a tail and unusual shapes, textures, and color variations that may give them away.
2. Bring the Right Gears
A 105mm lens is an excellent choice if you want to get the best shot of the frogfish. However, a 60mm lens with a diopter may also suffice. You should also prepare a diffused strobe light to help bring out the colors and patterns of this sea critter.
3. Pay Attention to Their Behavior
Frogfish typically don’t move much. However, they would occasionally exhibit behavior that would be interesting to capture. One example is when the fish stretches out its lure to attract prey. Another good shot is when they’re yawning, so be sure to keep a lookout for these behaviors.
4. Use Manual Settings for Control
Use a small aperture (high f-stop) for greater depth of field to keep more of the frogfish in focus, especially if shooting macro. Set a high shutter speed (1/125 or faster) to minimize blur and keep ISO as low as possible to reduce noise, especially for detailed macro shots.
Dive Into the World of Frogfish and Marine Wonders with Solitude World!
Ready to dive into the ocean to see these fascinating creatures up close? Let’s dive with Solitude World’s Liveaboard and Resorts to encounter frogfish and other unique marine life, including nudibranchs, decorator crabs, pygmy seahorses, and many more!
We offer liveaboard dive trips that can take you to the best dive spots in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Palau, ensuring a memorable journey. Our liveaboards also come with PADI-certified guides to ensure a smooth and safe dive, as well as complete amenities to help your body relax after your underwater excursion.
If you prefer land-based amenities, come stay at Solitude Lembeh and Acacia Resorts. Located in Indonesia and the Philippines, these resorts are strategically located near one of the world’s best muck diving destinations. These resorts also offer underwater photography workshops led by experts to help you take the best shots of the creatures you find during your dive!
What are you waiting for? Book your stay at Solitude Liveaboards and Resorts today!