{"id":44512,"date":"2025-09-05T03:07:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T03:07:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/44512\/"},"modified":"2025-09-05T03:07:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T03:07:07","slug":"scuba-diver-passes-piece-of-seaweed-and-it-turns-out-to-be-a-rare-animal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/44512\/","title":{"rendered":"Scuba Diver Passes ‘Piece Of Seaweed’ And It Turns Out To Be A Rare Animal"},"content":{"rendered":"

A few months ago, scuba diving content creator Jorinde Mar\u00e9<\/a> heard that an extremely rare fish had been spotted in Bonaire. Mar\u00e9\u2019s friend, a fellow diver named Jolanda, told her that she\u2019d just seen a striated frogfish in the shallow water surrounding the island.<\/p>\n

Striated frogfish are a type of anglerfish named after their signature black streaks. They\u2019re known for their ability to change colors and blend in with their surroundings. The expertly camouflaged animals use a worm-like appendage above their mouths to lure in prey.<\/p>\n

While striated frogfish are relatively common throughout the world\u2019s oceans, neither of the women had ever seen one in Bonaire. No one else Mar\u00e9 talked to had ever seen one in that area before either.<\/p>\n

\u201cI spoke about this with many people on the island and in the dive industry there, and for all of them, it is surprising,\u201d Mar\u00e9 told The Dodo.<\/p>\n

With Mar\u00e9\u2019s curiosity about the rare animal piqued, she decided she wanted to try to see the striated frogfish for herself. She went out for a dive and followed Jolanda\u2019s directions to where she\u2019d spotted the fish. But alas, Mar\u00e9 didn\u2019t find who she was looking for.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter our dive, we were obviously disappointed,\u201d Mar\u00e9 said. \u201cBut we did not want to give up.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a second dive and still no frogfish sighting, Mar\u00e9 was beginning to lose hope that she\u2019d ever get to lay eyes on the unique animal.<\/p>\n

The third time Mar\u00e9 set out to find the fish, though, she finally got lucky. She spotted a striated frogfish on a patch of sand about 10 feet below the surface. Mar\u00e9 marveled at how effective the animal\u2019s disguise was.<\/p>\n

\u201c[T]his species looks just like a piece of seaweed on the sandy floor,\u201d Mar\u00e9 wrote on TikTok.<\/p>\n

As Mar\u00e9 and her dive buddy swam away, they were shocked to find two more striated frogfish huddled up together over a different patch of sand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were absolutely thrilled,\u201d Mar\u00e9 said. \u201cIt was quite the sight to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

More research is needed to determine whether these striated frogfish showing up outside of their usual habitat is a complete anomaly or a sign that they\u2019re expanding their home territory. Either way, Mar\u00e9 is thrilled that she got to see three members of such a unique species with her own eyes.<\/p>\n