{"title":"Frogfish","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrogfish are anglerfish, and they behave nothing like a normal aquarium fish. They walk across the rock on modified pectoral fins rather than swimming, sit motionless for hours disguised as a sponge, and use a small fleshy lure above the mouth to draw prey in close before striking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strike is one of the fastest movements in the animal kingdom, and the mouth expands to take prey close to the frogfish's own size. That is the practical point: anything you put in the tank with one is food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey suit a species tank with plenty of perches and gentle flow, and they need feeding on meaty foods every few days rather than daily. Ask us about current feeding response before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"frog-fish","title":"Frog Fish | Antennarius sp.","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Frog Fish is one of the ocean's great oddballs - a slow, sit-and-wait ambush predator and a true collector's showpiece. Rather than chasing food, it perches motionless, blends into the rockwork and lures prey close with a tiny built-in fishing rod before engulfing it in a fraction of a second. Depending on the species supplied (Antennarius sp.), adults range from around 8 cm in the smaller warty types up to 30 cm or more in the larger giant frogfish, so it pays to confirm the likely adult size before buying. This is a fascinating fish, but strictly for a species or fish-only system with carefully chosen, oversized tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrogfish are found across tropical Indo-Pacific reefs, on rubble slopes, sponge gardens and among live rock, where their camouflage lets them disappear against sponges, algae and coral. They are not strong swimmers; instead they \"walk\" over the bottom on modified, limb-like pectoral and pelvic fins, waiting in ambush. In the aquarium they do best in a mature system with plenty of live rock, caves and stable perches that let them settle in one favoured spot and survey their surroundings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrogfish are masters of disguise, with a globular, laterally compressed body, an enormous upward-facing mouth and skin that may be smooth or covered in wart-like bumps and filaments. Colour is highly variable and can shift over days to match the surroundings - yellow, orange, red, brown, cream or black are all common. On the forehead sits the illicium, a modified first dorsal spine tipped with a lure (esca) that the fish wiggles to attract prey. Healthy specimens sit alert and upright, gill up normally and show interest in movement nearby.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as predatory but sedentary. A frogfish will not chase or harass tankmates, but it will eat any fish or shrimp small enough to fit in its remarkably expandable mouth - which is often larger than the fish itself. It is not aggressive in the territorial sense, but it is a committed carnivore. House it only with tankmates far too large to be swallowed, or keep it as a solitary species display. It generally ignores corals and other sessile invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding is meaty and infrequent. In the wild frogfish eat fish and crustaceans, and in captivity they should be offered chunky marine foods such as pieces of fish flesh, prawn, squid and whitebait. Many arrive expecting live food and can be weaned onto thawed frozen items dangled and twitched on feeding tongs to mimic live prey. Feed a substantial meal only every three to five days - adult frogfish are easily overfed. Avoid freshwater feeder fish such as goldfish and guppies, as a long-term diet of these leads to fatty liver disease.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 75 L for the smaller species, with 200 L or more recommended for larger individuals and better water stability. Maintain temperature at 24-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4 and salinity around 1.020-1.026. Frogfish prefer gentle to moderate flow and subdued lighting, with plenty of live rock, ledges and caves to perch on. Because they eat large meals and can foul the water, efficient filtration, good protein skimming and regular water changes are important. A secure lid is sensible. Handle with care and never lift them out of water in a net, as air can become trapped in the gills.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding frogfish in the home aquarium is very rare. In nature the female releases a floating raft of eggs that drifts in the plankton before hatching, and rearing the tiny larvae requires specialised live foods and dedicated systems well beyond typical home setups. For almost all keepers the goal is a healthy, well-fed single specimen rather than any attempt at captive breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAntennarius sp.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrogfish (Anglerfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific reefs, rubble slopes and sponge gardens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8-30 cm depending on species\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5-8 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePredatory but sedentary\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L (more for larger species)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; meaty foods, often weaned off live\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1-8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020-1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecies or fish-only systems with oversized tankmates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot reef safe (will eat fish and shrimp; ignores corals)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable companions are limited to fish far too large to be eaten, such as large angels, big tangs, large wrasses or other robust fish that cannot fit in the frogfish's mouth. In truth, a solitary species display is often the safest and most rewarding way to keep one.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with any small or medium fish, clownfish, damsels, gobies, firefish, ornamental shrimp and small crustaceans, all of which are likely to be eaten. Also avoid fast, aggressive fish that may harass a slow-moving, sedentary predator.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234119696675,"sku":"AA3124-S","price":80.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234119729443,"sku":"AA3124","price":90.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234119762211,"sku":"AA3124-L","price":100.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-20cm)","offer_id":55351918592291,"sku":"AA3124-XL","price":115.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/frog-fish-10266755072291-sp.webp?v=1790313951"}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/collections\/frogfish.oembed","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}