Frogfish are found throughout the Ryukyu Islands in shallow water.  They are popular subjects for underwater macro photographers in Okinawa. They are masters of camouflage and mimicry so they can be difficult to find.  The juveniles resemble toxic nudibranchs, tunicates, seaweed, algae, soft corals, and sponges.

Warty clownfish (Antennarius maculatus) © Shawn Miller

Spotted frogfish (Antennarius pictus) © Shawn Miller

Scarlet frogfish (Antennarius coccineus) © Shawn Miller

Painted frogfish (Antennarius pictus) © Shawn Miller

They are also known as anglerfish.  They spend most of their time staying in one location using a specialized fishing pole and lure to attract prey. They are vicious hunters and are capable of swallowing fish larger than itself.

Spotted clownfish fishing (Antennarius pictus) © Shawn Miller

They move slowly, crawling over the reef with their pectoral fins or by using jet propulsion in open water.

Sargassum Frogfish (Histrio histrio) © Shawn Miller

On several occasions, I have seen large anglers the size of a football at Maeda point” Meet Frogzilla ”

Giant frogfish (Antennarius commersoni) © Shawn Miller

Sometimes humans see random faces on natural objects.  The scientific term for this is Pareidolia. Can you see the frogfish resemblance?

Sponge or Frogfish © Shawn Miller

Faces in the Yanbaru forest  © Shawn Miller

Linchens and frogfish © Shawn Miller

 My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically  to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link  paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature

Your donations will help worldwide conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support.  Shawn M Miller.