Diver spots rare hairy frogfish 'walking' on Siquijor seafloor

A Vietnamese diver and underwater photographer spotted a rare species of fish in Siquijor that appears to “walk” along the seafloor — the hairy frogfish.

Kaye Blue made the unusual sighting during a dive on the island, which was featured in "24 Oras Weekend" on Saturday.

“I was so shocked and very happy because this was my first time seeing one. I stayed there for like three hours, waiting to observe their strange behaviors that I had never seen before,” Kaye said in Kuya Kim Atienza’s report.

One of the hairy frogfish’s (Antennarius striatus) most striking features is the hair-like strands covering its body.

Experts said these are not actual hairs, but specialized skin filaments that help it blend in with sponges, algae, and corals. This camouflage makes the hairy frogfish one of the ocean’s most effective ambush predators.

As for its stride-like movement, the hairy frogfish uses its pectoral and pelvic fins like legs, giving the appearance that it is walking on the seafloor.

The species is also known for luring prey using a specialized appendage on its head called an esca, according to Kuya Kim.

In three days of diving in Siquijor, Kaye said he spotted seven hairy frogfish.

“It’s rare in my experience. I love diving in the Philippines because it’s easy to get here, and the marine life is very rich,” he said.—MCG, GMA News