Gone Fishing

• Prize
  Gold in Nature/Underwater
• Photographer
  Peter De Maagt
• Technical Info
  1/250, F11, ISO100
• Photo Date
  11-10-2018

Frogfish mimic surrounding sponges by varying its background hue to match that of the dominant sponge in the area. This tropical fish is a voracious ambush predator that’s sedentary most of the time. Once settled it starts extending its “lure” – a modified spine whose top resembles a small worm, shrimp or fish – and wiggles it around to attract prey. As those venture close, the frogfish sucks in its unsuspecting prey with a large gulp that’s one of the fastest bites in the animal kingdom.

• Biography
  Peter de Maagt is an enthusiastic underwater photographer/scuba diver who uses his images to promote conservation of our underwater world. His interest in diving and photography merged more than 20 years ago. Since then, this passion has taken him world-wide to experience the extremes of very cold and warm waters where he has had the privilege to experience different underwater biotopes. His photographs and articles have appeared in and on the cover of several underwater photography magazines and have been used by companies, websites and newspapers.
• Awards
  United Nations World Oceans Day, Ocean Geographic, Deep Indonesia, Lens beyond the Ocean, Beneath the Sea