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Locomotion

Click here for videos of frogfishes swimming - Diese Seite in Deutsch

Frogfish don't swim very often, most of them lack a swim bladder (except the Sargassum frogfish Histrio histrio , Allenichthys glauerti, Kuiterichthys furcipilis and Phyllophryne scortea). But it can move very quickly by sucking in large quantities of water through the mouth and forcing it out through the tiny gill openings. This results in a jet-like very fast forward propulsion a few centimeters above the ground. In the newly discovered Histiophryne psychedelica those are more like a series of short hops, pushing off from the ground with its pelvic fins (Reference / Video).

I have observed, that small baby frogfishes tend to swim much more.

To cross small distances the frogfish may walk or actually gallop (see illustration below). It is interesting to note that frogfishes have reversed the order of their breast fins and belly fins. The powerful rear feet are in fact its breast fins!

This animated gif was drawn by Zubi after a scientific illustration of a walking frogfish.

Most frogfishes sit motionless on sponges, but the hairy frogfish (Antennarius striatus) likes to walk around. In order to attract prey it is moving the lure around in front of its head while walking.