Ambush predators: They got the look

Ambush predators, also called sit-and-wait predators, are carnivorous animals that get to their meals by stealth or strategy rather than by speed or strength. Ambush predators sit and wait for prey, often from a concealed position and, in the case of our marine candidates here, concealing themselves by different methods of camouflage. They got more than their look going for them! Blending in has created some remarkable features, adding details and oddity to these creatures.

As one would expect from animals specialised to suck their prey in, the heads and in particular the mouths of ambush predators are quite large in comparison to their overall body size. By opening their mouth quickly, they create a sucking motion strong enough to catch and swallow their prey in one bite.

Some ambush predators, like the frogfish, even lure their prey closer which is called aggressive mimicry. Others, like scorpionfishes, add short and rapid movements to broaden their striking distance. All of these fashion monsters have one attitude in common: Whenever their prey comes close enough, they just suck it up.

They got that look in their eyes: Ambush predators

Underwater close-up (crop) of the eye of an devil scorpionfish (Wakatobi, Indonesia) showing how the camouflage continues of this ambush predator continues into the eye.

Underwater close-up (crop) showing the eye of an devilfish (part of the scorpionfish family) and part of his face covered with algae and hydroids to conceil the look of this ambush predator (Lembeh, Indonesia)

Underwater close-up (crop) showing the eyes of a orange baby painted frogfish and the pores and veins of the face around it (Lembeh, Indonesia)

Underwater close-up (crop) of the eye of a Leaf scorpionfish showing the doted line around the pupil as well as the broken up rim around the eye and additional dark lines to break up the outline of the eye and conceil this ambush predator better (Wakatobi, Indonesia).

Underwater close-up (crop) of the eye of a tasseled scorpionfish showing the radiant patternaround the pupil to break up the outline of the eye as well as filaments and colour patterns around the eyes helping this ambush predator to conceil its look (Wakatobi, Indonesia)

Underwater close-up (crop) of the red eye of a hairy frogfish with irregular brown and beige pattern (radiant). Photo of this ambush predator was taken in Lembeh, Indonesia.

Underwater close-up (crop) of the eye of a crocodilefish with a beautifu lace almost like eyelashes covering the upper part of the pupil of this ambush predator speckled in dark and light (Wakatobi, Indonesia)

Underwater close-up (crop) showing the eye of an ambon scorpionfish with dark reflecting pupiles and a radiant pattern (red and white) around them which turns into a wider ring of orange, white, brown and red as camouflage for this beautiful ambush predator (Lembeh, Indonesia).

Underwater close-up (crop) of the face of a Cockatoo waspfish (brown fish with small white and colourful speckles al over), yet another ambush predator from Lembeh, Indonesia.

Underwater close-up (crop)showing a part of the face of a spiny devilfish (sometimes called indian walkman) in different shades of brown and ochre. Reddish strip through the black pupil and light beige and reddish radiant pattern around the pupil to break up the outline of the eye of this ambush predator.

underwater close-up (crop) of the eye of a small member of the scorpionfish family (supposedly whiteface waspfish) with sort of a golden-red rim around the pupil and a crest like a rooster (Lembeh, Indonesia).

Fashion monsters in details: How they pull it off

All of these ambush predators are pretty proud of their appearance, after all, "They got the look". So admire the creatures in detail and read a little more about their lives of sitting, waiting, wishing:

Underwater close-up of shaggy Ambon scorpionfish (Pteroidichthys amboinensis) shot in Lembeh, Indonesia, in January 2019. An ambush predator looking a little bit like Elvis: Reddish colour with yellow around the eyes and underside of mouth Pectoral fins spread off widely and long cirri (filaments above the eyes) plus skin flaps and more filaments all over the body to blend in. — Ambon scorpionfish
A shaggy Elvis
Click Here

White face waspfish (Richardsonichthys leucogaster) photographed at a night dive in Lembeh (Sulawesi, Indonesia) on black sand: Round head with whitish patch on forehead, brown, white, beige and red blotches over the whole body, dorsal fin slightly up and angry look in its eyes. — The cackatoo waspfish
Punk's not dead
Click Here

Underwater close-up of Devil Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis diabolus) showing only the head with the mouth slightly open. The body is covered in skin flaps and filaments as camouflage, even one part is growing over the pupil to conceal the outline of the eye. Sand colour with shades of dark brown, green, yellow and red. Picture taken in Lembeh, Indonesia, in January 2019. — The devil scorpionfish
Sinister style with venom
Click Here

Baby warty or clown frogfish (Antennarius maculatus)in white with orange to red rims and patches sittinng on the sandy ground in Lembeh (Indonesia). — Frogfish: Brightly coloured or hairy
The odd one out
Click Here

Underwater macro shot of a Leaf scorpionfish from the side. Leafy in yellow with green tint with brown blotches against dark background (Wakatobi, Indonesia). — The leaf scorpionfish
Elegant and timeless
Click Here

Underwater close-up of estuary stonefish (Synanceia horrida) showing the dark pupils in focus as well as the huge mouth facing down. Algae and sand are perfecting its camouflage. Colour light to darker brown with yellow, orange and red. Picture taken in Amed, Bali, March 2020. Stonefish: Venomous touch. — The infamous Stonefish
Venomous touch
Click Here

Ambush predators perfecting their looks and specialising in sitting and waiting, lose some other skills as this giant frogfish is demonstrating nicely. There are more short clips dedicated to some of our fashionable creatures in the collection "Take a Minute to Relax".