Maui, Hawai'i
Glossodoris tomsmithi Maui, Hawai'i
Antennarius commersoni The frogfish has to be one of the coolest fishes on Hawaiian reefs. Though this juvenile jumps right out of the reef with it's flourescent yellow coloration, the adults are masters of camouflage. Mottled shades of green, brown, orange, and yellow make the adult frogfish look just like any other sponge on the reef. Only the trained eye can reliably spot these cryptic fish. They are perfectly designed ambush predators. When an unsuspecting small reef fish swims in front of this "sponge" it suddenly becomes all mouth and inhales the fish in the blink of an eye. Frogfish can do more than just wait for a fish to swim by though. They're a member of the anglerfish family, and they're equipped with a fleshy lure that extends from their head. This lure can be wiggled to draw in curious reef fish. Once they're in striking distance, it's all over in a flash. The Big Island, Hawai'i
