A SECOND frogfish washed up on Toti shores this week.
The unusual find was spotted by Charleen van Niekerk as she walked from Reunion beach to Toti main beach on Sunday, 7 June.
Two weeks ago, a smaller species and different coloured one washed up at Baggies beach.
Charleen’s weighed 1.95kg.
Frogfish are found in almost all tropical and subtropical oceans. They are small, short and stocky, ranging in size from 2.5cm to 38cm and are sometimes covered in spinules and other appendages to aid in camouflage. The camouflage protects them from predators and enables them to lure prey. The fish has what is referred to as a ‘fishing pole’ on its forehead, which is used to mimic a wriggling worm to lure its prey.
Many species can change colour and they are often brightly coloured, white, yellow, red, green, black or spotted in several colours to blend in with their coral surroundings.
Their plump, high-backed, non-streamlined body is scaleless and bare, often covered with bumpy, bifurcated spinules.
Their mouths are upward pointed with palatal teeth.
Marine biologist, Allan Connell of Brighton Beach, who is part of an ongoing 25 year project to barcode the fish of the world using DNA, and studies fish spawning patterns said frogfish are usually quite small and fit in the palm of your hand.
“These were part of the largest species, known as giant frogfish,” he said. “It is strange to have two wash up and I see no reason for it, but people are catching slinger off Toti and Winkle.
They can swim in short bursts, but they prefer to walk, which is more like a waddle.
Although the second frogfish found was big, it is inside the spectrum.”
Warner Beach fisherman, John Munro, who has been fishing for about 73 of his 85 years, has never seen a frogfish wash up on Toti shores.
“There are some unusual fish being caught, such as red fish and rubber lips on north pier in Durban.”
Send in your photos of any unusual fish you have found on Toti beaches to southcoastsun@dbn.caxton.co.za.
GALLERY:
Some other weird and wonderful things from the ocean, found on Toti beaches lately. Photos by Marius Calitz
