When Muck Diving Freaks come to Lembeh the Hairy Frogfish is arguably the top candidate on the Critter Whishlist. The Hairy Frogfish is the hairy variation of the Striated Frogfish (antennarius striatus or striped frogfish). Even though there is some other species of frogfish with hair to see in Lembeh, the Striated Frogfish is the most impressive one.
It grows relatively big (up to about 20 cm) and can be white, brown, yellow, orange or even black. Besides the stripe pattern and the hair another cool feature of the Hairy Frogfish is the worm shaped lure that it actively uses to attract prey.
Hairy Frogfish can occasionally be found in depths as shallow as 1m – but usually deeper. They normally stay around for a while, but move back deeper after mating. The bigger Frogfish is the female and is usually followed by a smaller male.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUys-337W7M]
Classic sites to see the Hairy Frogfish in Lembeh are: Hairball, Teluk Kembahu (TK), Jahir, Aer Bajo, Tandu Rusa and Retak Larry.
Best lens to use: 60mm Macro – but for bigger hairy frogfishes also Wide Angle Lenses can be used.
Best season: The whole year with a peak in August – November
More Info: A good website with more information about Frogfishes is www.frogfish.ch
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