Date:12/7/2023 8:01 AM
Happy Thursday everyone, and good luck to the college students working through finals week. Today's fish of the day is the hairy frogfish!
The hairy frogfish, known also as the striated frogfish, or scientific name Antennarius striatus is known mostly for their "hair". However, this "hair" is made up of spines used as camouflage in their coral habitat. In the front this fish has a lure for prey catching. The hairy frogfish is entirely carnivorous, living a solitary life and refusing the company of other fish. The mouth can stretch to extreme sizes allowing the frogfish to swallow prey as large as their own body, and leading to several cases of cannibalism.
Another interesting trait of the hairy frogfish is their ability to change color. Their dominate coloration is yellow-browns, but individuals adapt to their habitat, taking anywhere from two-four weeks to completely change color and pattern. This makes them hard to identify among other species they can appear similar to, making the lure an important identifier. Their habitat is widespread, going from shallow waters along coastlines (picture attached) down to 210 meters below.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday!
