Is It a Frog or a Fish? Trick Question—It’s a Frogfish

In this stunning YouTube clip, a frogfish bides its time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike at an unsuspecting cardinal fish. This gives us time to observe it and wonder whether it is a frog or a fish, and why it looks the way it does. Read on to find out more about these extraordinary creatures.

Frog or Fish?

Frogfish (Antennariidae Lophiiformes) belong to the Antennariidae family and are fish. However, they have some distinctive features, so you could be forgiven for wondering if they are a frog. They have bumpy, frog-like skin instead of the usual scales that fish use for protection. Instead, they rely on camouflage and blend into their surroundings. What’s more, their pectoral fins have a joint similar to an elbow, so it looks like a frog’s arm. They do not move that much, but when they do, they walk rather than swim. You may even see them jump! They do this by taking in water through their mouths and forcing it out through their gills, propelling themselves forward.

Where Are Frogfish Found?

Frogfish are found in tropical and subtropical oceans around the world. This includes the tropical and Eastern Pacific, Eastern Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and the Caribbean. However, you will not find them in the Mediterranean Sea. They prefer sandy and rocky habitats, which are often found in coral reefs. Typically, they live at depths of 33 to 718 feet, but you are most likely to find them at around 130 feet.

Frogfish Predators and Prey

These carnivorous fish are ambush predators and will snatch at most things that swim past them. As you can see in the clip, their hunting style is to stay very still and wait for prey to come to them. They catch fish (like the cardinal in the clip) and crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs. They swallow their prey whole and can tackle animals twice their size because their mouths can expand up to twelve times their normal size. Their stomach is also extendable. If they grab something too big, they will spit it back out. Chewing, however, is impossible because they have no teeth.

Despite their impressive camouflage, these fish have a few predators. Both juvenile and adult frogfish can be eaten by lizardfish, moray eels, and scorpionfish, though juveniles are more frequently targeted due to their smaller size. Larger frogfish will also eat juveniles of their own species!