Warty frogfish

Antennarius maculatus

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Lophiiformes
Family: Antennariidae
Genus: Antennarius
Species: Antennarius maculatus

The warty frogfish (Antennarius maculatus), also called the clown frogfish, is a small, lumpy frogfish covered in wart-like bumps, often in bright yellow, orange, white or red. Many have a pale body with reddish saddles and spots, and the edge of the fins is often trimmed in orange.

It usually grows to about 10-15 cm. Like other frogfish it is an ambush predator that waves a lure from its head to tempt small fish within reach, then gulps them down. Its warty texture helps it blend into sponges and encrusted rocks.

The warty frogfish is found in the tropical Indo-Pacific, including the Philippines, where it is one of the most photographed frogfish, seen on sponges, rubble and coral heads along the reef.