Thursday, September 13, 2012

Sargassum Fish - Histrio histrio - Sargassum Frogfish @$35.98 2/$70.00

The Sargassum Fish is a member of the Antennariidae family. With a body of mottled brown and tan, several projections give it more of an ornate rock-like appearance than that of a fish.

The Sargassum Anglerfish can be recognized by its body shape, dorsal fin structure, colour and presence of skin flaps and filaments. Unlike most other shallow-water anglerfishes (family Antennariidae) the skin of the Sargassum Anglerfish is smooth rather than prickly. This fish has a dorsal fin divided into four parts. The most anterior part is the "fishing rod and lure" comprising the illicium and esca. This is followed by two separate spines and finally by a long-based soft-rayed portion. The Sargassum Anglerfish varies from pale cream to greenish or dark brown. It has an irregular pattern of blotches and spots.

One of the more popular Anglers for its looks, the Sargassum Fish is a master of camouflage in its habitat, and can change from light to dark in coloration. Commonly found in amongst the Sargassum Algae, the Sargassum Fish completely mimics the Sargassum Algae with folds and tufts of skin. The Sargassum Fish is a much more aggressive Angler in that it will try to swallow prey 2 to even 3 times its own size, making this fish easier to place with larger predatory fish i.e. Lionfish, smaller grouper species, Snappers, and small Sharks and Rays.

The Sargassum Fish juveniles and adults usually live closely associated with floating algae. Adults are sometimes seen swimming under clumps of floating Sargassum weed. When threatened by a predator the Sargassum Anglerfish sometimes jumps out of the water onto the top of an algal mat. It may stay out of water for some time.
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