WhenToDive
Fish · 🐠

Frogfish

Family Antennariidae

Frogfish are ambush predators that look like lumpy, encrusted sponges with a fishing-rod lure dangling above their mouths. They walk on modified fins rather than swimming, hold position for hours, and eat prey up to their own size in a strike that takes less than a thousandth of a second. Several species range in colour from yellow and red to black and hairy — the "hairy frogfish" (Antennarius striatus) in Lembeh is the most-photographed individual on earth. Lembeh, Anilao, and Bonaire are the iconic destinations. Without a guide who already knows the resident animals, you will not see them.

Frogfish are ambush predators that look like lumpy, encrusted sponges with a fishing-rod lure dangling above their mouths. They walk on modified fins rather than swimming, hold position for hours, and eat prey up to their own size in a strike that takes less than a thousandth of a second. Several species range in colour from yellow and red to black and hairy — the "hairy frogfish" (Antennarius striatus) in Lembeh is the most-photographed individual on earth. Lembeh, Anilao, and Bonaire are the iconic destinations. Without a guide who already knows the resident animals, you will not see them.

The year at a glance

Global aggregated reliability — at any given month, how reliably can you find this species somewhere in the world?

Score 1–5 · global aggregated reliability Rare Moderate Reliable

Where to see them in April

Sorted by April reliability and species status.

  1. 01

    Lembeh Strait

    Indonesia · southeast asia · peak
    4/5
  2. 02

    Malapascua

    Philippines · southeast asia · present
    5/5

Full season breakdown

Peak Present Rare

Destination
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Notes
Giant, painted, hairy, warty — multiple species on most dives
Present