The Warty Frogfish (Antennarius maculatus) is one of the most common species of Frogfish and very closely related to the Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus). This Frogfish grows to about 10cm in size and has two typical colour variations: White with red patches and yellow with red patches. These colours are very vibrant and attractive in juveniles – that’s why they are also often called “Clown Frogfish”. As they grow older the colours fade to brownish tones and their body grows warty bumps. There are also rarer, black variations with orange painting.
The Warty Frogfish can be found in Reefs as well as in Algae or Rubble patches and Sponges – small juveniles even out on the sand. Warty frogfish are usually seen in between 12 and 25 meters – even though they can be in very shallow water at times.
In Lembeh they can be found on all dive sites with coral, rocks and reef – plus on muckdives that feature bigger rubble patches. Usually Nudi Falls, Goby A Crab, Pulau Abadi, Critter Hunt, Sarena Patah, Tanjung Kubur, Sarena Besar, Nudi Retreat, Angel’s Window etc. are good places.
To shoot Warty Frogfishes the lens choice depends on the size of the Frogfish – on white juvenile carefull lighting is essential, as they quickly “burn out” if too much strobe is used.
