Marine Life

Sargassum frogfish

Huifathu bohmas

Histrio histrio

Unlike other frogfishes, Histrio histrio is a pelagic species which can be found in patches of floating sargassum off the eastern coast of the Maldives during the calm weather of the northeast monsoon. Close inspection of such weeds often reveals one or two of these tiny creatures.

Details

§ 01

size: Max. 19 cm
color: Colour and colour patterns highly variable. Generally mottled green, brown, effectively blending with the floating Sargassam weed.
order: Lophiiformes
family: Antennariidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/histrio-histrio.png
habitat and biology: Typically found adhering to drifting Saragassam seaweed.
distinctive characters: The dorsal fin has three spines that are separated from each other, the anal fin has seven to eight rays, the pectoral rays are nine to eleven, the skin is smooth and often has membranous filaments or flaps, and the pectoral fin has a narrow, limb-like base.