It’s that time of the year again – when frogfish take over our reefs and sandy slopes at Atmosphere Resorts & Spa in Dauin. Frogfish February is here! Dauin, Philippines, is a macro photographer’s paradise, and few critters generate as much excitement as frogfish. With their incredible camouflage, quirky movements, and lightning-fast strikes, these masters of disguise are a must-see for any diver. What better time to celebrate them than during Frogfish February? Book now for chance to see these cryptic creatures!
Dive into Frogfish February
We love frogfish at Atmosphere and we have plenty of them all year, but February to June are the months to come if you wish to see even more! The nutrient-rich waters and diverse habitats make Dauin one of the best places in the world to encounter multiple frogfish species. Here are 10 species you might spot while diving in this frogfish hotspot:
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- Giant frogfish Antennarius commersoni
- Painted frogfish Antennarius pictus
- Clown/Warty frogfish Antennarius maculatus
- Hairy/Striated frogfish Antennarius striatus
- Randall’s frogfish Antennarius Randalli
- Freckled frogfish Abantennarius coccineus
- Spotfin frogfish Abantennarius nummifer
- Ocellated frogfish Fowlerichthys ocellatus
- Sargassum frogfish Histro histro
- Bandfin frogfish Antennatus tuberosus
1. Giant frogfish Antennarius commersoni
The giant frogfish, otherwise known as Commerson’s frogfish, is the largest species and can be seen reliably all year in Dauin. This frogfish averages around 30 cm in size, but can be as large as 50 cm! Despite its size, it is an expert at blending into its surroundings, often mimicking sponges with its mottled texture and varied colour patterns. Colours can be a range of hues from pale yellow and orange to deep red and black. Look for this species near coral outcrops and sponges
Giant frogfish by Imran Ahmad
2. Painted frogfish Antennarius pictus
The painted frogfish is one of the most commonly seen frogfish in Dauin and is highly variable in colour, often featuring intricate patterns of spots and lines. These frogfish can reach 10-15 cm are characterised by having 3 distinctive spots on the tail fin and a porous body texture. They are usually found on mooring blocks, ropes and sponges, patiently waiting to ambush prey.
Painted frogfish by Carole Harris
3. Clown/Warty frogfish Antennarius maculatus
The clown/warty frogfish is another favourite among divers and photographers due to its striking colours and bumpy skin texture. Distinguished from other species by a warty skin texture and ‘face paint’ markings expanding out from the eye. Juveniles can sometimes be black with orange spots, resembling toxic nudibranchs, while adults develop a more muted coloration. This species can reach approximately 8-10 cm and prefers rock, rubble and sponge areas.
Clown/warty frogfish by Daniel Geary
Juveniles are sometimes black with orange spots, resembling a toxic nudibranch. Photo by Henrik Gram Rasmussen
4. Hairy/Striated frogfish Antennarius striatus
The hairy frogfish is one of the most sought-after species due to its unique, shaggy appearance. Covered in fleshy filaments that resemble algae, this frogfish is a true master of disguise in sandy and weedy environments, where they imitate sea urchins. The hairy frogfish ranges between 15-20 cm in size and can be seen in shades of black, brown, white or several other colours. Divers often find this species in muck diving sites, where it waits motionless for the perfect moment to strike at prey.
Hairy frogfish by Magnus Lundgren
5. Randall’s frogfish Antennarius Randalli
A relatively rare find in Dauin, Randall’s frogfish grows up to approximately 5cm and is found on coral, rubble and rocky habitats. Defining features include white spots behind the eye, above the pectoral fin and on the upper edge of the tail fin. You can normally find these frogfish in shades of yellow, red, brown and black.
Randall’s frogfish by Daniel Geary
6. Freckled frogfish Abantennarius coccineus
The freckled frogfish is a small species, usually found hiding in holes and crevices in the coral reef. It gets its name from the mottled, freckled pattern that helps it blend into its surroundings. An extremely well-camouflaged frogfish that is highly variable in colour, ranging from a mottled bright red to pale brown, yellow, green and black. It has a small white lure with no tentacles.
Freckled frogfish by Daniel Geary
7. Spotfin frogfish Abantennarius nummifer
The spotfin frogfish is named for the dark, eye-like spots found on its fins, which help it blend into rocky and coral-covered habitats. It usually has a large pale-ringed dark spot at the base of its soft dorsal spin, with a lure that resembles a tiny shrimp. This species is found on coral, sandy areas and seagrass beds.
Spotfin frogfish by Daniel Geary
8. Ocellated frogfish Fowlerichthys ocellatus
A rarer sighting in Dauin, the ocellated frogfish is named for the distinctive ocelli, or eye-like spots, that decorate its body. These spots help break up its outline, making it harder for predators and prey to detect. This is a small and solitary species, measuring up to approximately 5 cm. It prefers slightly deeper reef environments and is often found among coral rubble, sand patches or sponges.
Ocellated frogfish by Daniel Geary
9. Sargassum frogfish Histro histro
Unlike most frogfish, the sargassum frogfish is a free-floating species that lives among drifting sargassum seaweed. Its body is covered in elaborate filaments and appendages that mimic the seaweed, providing perfect camouflage. This species is a strong swimmer and can even leap out of the water to escape predators. While uncommon in Dauin, sargassum frogfish are sometimes seen in open water or near floating debris, offering a rare and exciting encounter for divers.
Sargassum frogfish by Carole Harris
10. Bandfin frogfish Antennatus tuberosus
The bandfin/tuberculated frogfish is one of the rarer species in Dauin, typically found hiding under hard corals. It is characterised by its distinct banded fin patterns and compact body shape. This is a small cryptic species, measuring up to 7 cm and has a long rod with no lure.
Bandfin frogfish by Daniel Geary
Join us for Frogfish February in Dauin!
With so many frogfish species to discover, Frogfish February is the perfect time to dive into Dauin’s incredible muck diving sites and reefs. Whether you’re a seasoned underwater photographer or a first-time frogfish hunter, these bizarre and beautiful creatures will make your dives unforgettable. Have you spotted any of these frogfish in Dauin?
To summarise, here are 10 species you might spot while diving in this frogfish hotspot:
- Giant frogfish Antennarius commersoni
- Painted frogfish Antennarius pictus
- Clown/Warty frogfish Antennarius maculatus
- Hairy/Striated frogfish Antennarius striatus
- Randall’s frogfish Antennarius Randalli
- Freckled frogfish Abantennarius coccineus
- Spotfin frogfish Abantennarius nummifer
- Ocellated frogfish Fowlerichthys ocellatus
- Sargassum frogfish Histro histro
- Bandfin frogfish Antennatus tuberosus
Take the Critters of Dauin specialty, unique to Atmosphere!
Want to learn more about the incredible critters we see here in Dauin? Then the PADI Critters of Dauin specialty is perfect for you! Created by our in-house marine biologist, this specialty is unique to Atmosphere. It lets you into the secrets our guides use to locate even the smallest and most cryptic of critters. For more information, check out our previous blog post about the PADI Critters of Dauin specialty here.
For bookings and enquiries about the PADI Critters of Dauin specialty, please email [email protected]
Want to know more about the incredible critters we see here along the Dauin coast and Apo Island? Check out the critters page on our website.
