English Name: Sargassum frogfish
Family: ANTENNARIIDAE
Local Name: Huifathu bohmas
Order: Lophiiformes
Size: Max. 19 cm
Specimen: MRS/U 179/88
Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with three spines which are separated from one another. Anal fin with 7-8 rays. Pectoral rays 9-Il, Skin naked (smooth), often with membranous filaments or flaps. Pectoral fin with narrow limb-like base.
Colour: Colour and colour patterns highly variable. Generally mottled green, brown, effectively blending with the floating Sargassam weed.
Habitat and Biology: Pelagic. Usually found clinging on floating Sargassani weed.
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific and tropical Atlantic.
Remarks: Unlike other frogfishes, Histrio histrio is a pelagic species. In the Maldives, periods patches of floating sargassum can be found off the eastern coast during the calm weather of the northeast monsoon. Close inspection of such weeds will often reveal one or two tiny histrio.