Have Maluku Divers found a 'new' frogfish?

Contributed by Andy Shorten

The team at Maluku Divers recently rediscovered a very interesting frogfish in Ambon Bay. During a dive on Laha which is just fifteen minutes from the dive facility and newly refurbished en-suite resort accommodation on the southern coast of Ambon, in the village of Latuhalat, divemaster Toby Fadirsyair and owner Buck Randolph were incredibly excited to spot this little specimen. Toby has been diving this

The team at Maluku Divers recently rediscovered a very interesting frogfish in Ambon Bay. During a dive on Laha which is just fifteen minutes from the dive facility and newly refurbished en-suite resort accommodation on the southern coast of Ambon, in the village of Latuhalat, divemaster Toby Fadirsyair and owner Buck Randolph were incredibly excited to spot this little specimen. Toby has been diving this region for over 18 years and after surfacing, said he had only seen this species once before and that was 15 years ago. The decision was quickly made for Buck to get a camera while Toby descended to keep an eye on his find.

Afterwards, they realised that they couldn't identify exactly what type of frogfish Maluku Divers contacted authors Beth and Shaun Tierney of SeaFocus who visited Ambon in 2007. They were equally excited but despite a lot of searching could only suggest it was a variation of a striped frogfish and recommended we look towards some real scientists. Since then we have contacted several top fish identification experts to see if they can establish the scientific details of the specimen.

The frogfish is one of a pair and is about 10cm long. Toby, the most highly rated dive guide at Maluku Divers, says it has remained elusive ever since without a single photograph captured, until recently that is. Now, with photographic evidence, a proper identification may be possible.

Anyone with suggestions as to the scientific name of the specimen, please email Maluku Divers to help in our identification quest.

Andy Shorten
Maluku Divers

Update: 23 February 2008 - Frogfish expert excited and mystified

"I can say that in my 40 or so years studying frogfishes and anglerfishes in general, I have never seen one like this. Very striking is the highly unusual, flat face that allows the eyes to be directed forward, perhaps providing for binocular vision. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins appear to be highly fleshy, covered by loose skin. Also, looking closely at the forehead, in the pictures sent earlier, I can't see any trace of a luring apparatus. If I had to say what it's closest living relative might be, I'd suggest the genus Histiophryne, but this taxon differs in a host of other ways. In summary, it's quite unlike any antennarioid I've ever seen and most likely represents a genus new to science."

Theodore W. Pietsch, Professor
School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences Fish Collection
College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences

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