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metal prints fish metal prints animal metal prints fish still life metal prints antennarius metal prints frogfish metal prints lure metal prints illicium metal prints esca metal prints angler metal prints anglerfish metal prints camouflage metal prints aggressive mimicry metal prints lophiiformes metal prints vertebrate metal prints bony fish metal prints

photographs fish photos animal photos fish still life photos antennarius photos frogfish photos lure photos illicium photos esca photos angler photos anglerfish photos camouflage photos aggressive mimicry photos lophiiformes photos vertebrate photos bony fish photos

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Frogfish, Antennarius sp., are some of the most cryptic predators found on tropical reefs around the world. Many frogfish have markings that blend them in perfectly with the corals, sponges, and coraline algaes comprising tropical reefs. Many species can change the color and even the cryptic patterns on their bodies depending on the substrate where they reside. The disguise hides them from potential predators and potential prey. Frogfish have a fishing pole-like structure, the illicium, that emerges from their head and can be rocked back and forth. At the end of the pole is a structure known as an esca. The esca is the equivalent of a lure, which attracts small prey by mimicking a potential food item like a shrimp or small fish. The potential prey are drawn to within striking distance of the frogfish's cavernous mouth, which is opened rapidly, drawing in water and the prey item. Luring prey by mimicking a potential food item is also known as aggressive mimicry. Photographed in 2010.