Giant Frogfish

The giant frogfish is one of Komodo's most extraordinary and well-camouflaged marine animals — a master of disguise that can be nearly impossible to spot even when you are staring right at it. These rotund, bizarre-looking fish lack the swimming ability of most reef species and instead walk along the bottom on modified pectoral fins that function like stubby legs. Their skin is covered in irregular bumps and folds that mimic sponges, algae-covered rocks, or coral, and they can change colour over days to weeks to match their surroundings. Giant frogfish hunt using a built-in fishing rod — a modified dorsal spine called an illicium, tipped with a fleshy lure called an esca that they wiggle to attract curious prey. When a fish moves close enough, the frogfish strikes with one of the fastest predatory attacks in the animal kingdom, engulfing its prey in as little as 6 milliseconds by expanding its mouth to 12 times its resting size. In Komodo, frogfish are found at muck diving and macro sites where their camouflage skills are put to the ultimate test.