Spotfin frogfish

Antennatus nummifer

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Lophiiformes
Family: Antennariidae
Genus: Antennatus
Species: Antennatus nummifer

The spotfin frogfish (Antennatus nummifer) is a small, secretive frogfish recognised by the dark, ringed spot at the base of its dorsal fin. Its colour varies from yellow and orange to red, pink or brown, usually with a pattern of darker blotches.

It rarely grows beyond 10 cm and spends most of its time wedged in crevices, under ledges and among sponges and coralline algae. Like its relatives it hunts by twitching a small lure above its mouth and inhaling passing fish and crustaceans.

The spotfin frogfish is widespread in the Indo-Pacific, including the Philippines. Because it hides deep in the reef it is less often seen than other species, but sharp-eyed guides do find it on Philippine reef slopes.

Photo: Bernard DUPONT, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist