Antennarius pictus is another frogfish highly variable in color and young ones can be difficult to distinguish from young Antennarius maculatus and A. commerson. Most individuals have spotted bodies although the spots may be faint. We saw these at many sites in the Tulamben and Amed areas as well as Puri Jati and Gilimanuk.
The white ones below are very similar to one of the color forms of Antennarius maculatus but lack the red margins to the dorsal fins and the roughly triangular brown patch with one point touching the posterior of the eye socket.
A small juvenile.
Created 20 March 2023