Macro
Hairy frogfish
Antennarius striatus
A striated frogfish covered in hair-like skin filaments that walks on modified fins and lures prey with a worm-shaped appendage. Colours range from black to bright yellow and orange. One of Lembeh's signature critters and a macro-photography favourite.
- Max size
- ~20cm
- Habitat
- Black-sand slopes and muck bottoms
Best places to dive with Hairy frogfish
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
A signature Dauin critter; hairy and other frogfish species are found on the sand slopes and mooring ropes year-round, though finding them relies on the guide.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Resident year-round on the sand flats; sightings are reported to increase in the cooler July-September water, though it is found in all months.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
A muck-site regular at Mucky Mosque and Babylon through the season; frogfish generally (painted, warty and hairy) are among the reliable macro finds here.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
A signature Anilao muck critter found on black-sand slopes such as Basura and Secret Bay; reliable with a good guide but never guaranteed.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Frogfish are reported on the reef and sand sites around Donsol and Ticao; species and location vary, so treat as a lucky macro find rather than a guaranteed sighting.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Several frogfish species occur here, including giant, warty and hairy frogfish on the muck sites. Camouflaged and hit-or-miss, but a regular find for guides.
Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.
- Diving in Lembeh — PADI