Pleated toadfish, with unusual orange head, seen at Long Beach. Photos Luke Harris.
The more common, drab, colouration of the pleated toadfish. Photo Guido Zsilavecz
The pleated toadfish is not a species seen often. The best place to find it seems to be the wreck of the Clan Stuart, where they can be seen peeking from between the plates of the wreck, especially at night. The individual seen at Long Beach has unusually bright colouration. While the juveniles of this species do have brighter colours, including orange, this is mostly limited to the edges of the fins. The animal shown is a young one, not yet fully grown (they reach 19 cm in length), so probably shows juvenile markings, yet even so the bright orange head and comparatively dull body are interesting.
For further details on toadfishes, see Coastal Fishes of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, available directly from SURG or from better dive stores in Cape Town.
Coastal fishes of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, a divers' identification guide, G Zsilavecz, 2005.