All fish / Antennariidae

Warty Frogfish

Antennarius maculatus

Also known as clown frogfish, warty anglerfish, spotted frogfish, clown anglerfish, frogfish, anglerfish, wartskin frogfish, ปลากบ, クマドリカエルアンコウ, ikan kodok, 疣躄鱼, 斑躄鱼

A lumpy, round-bodied ambush predator covered in wart-like bumps, usually orange, yellow, white or black with darker saddles and pale-ringed spots. It sits still on rock, waving a lure on its head to draw prey close, then swallows it in a split second. Keepers prize it for its odd looks and fascinating feeding behaviour in a species tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Keep singly

Diet

Carnivore: live or thawed whole prey such as shrimp, silversides and small fish offered on tongs

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific: East Africa and Red Sea to Indonesia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea

Breeding

Pairs spawn a floating raft of eggs held in a gelatinous mass, and the larvae drift in the plankton. Breeding in home aquariums is rare and raising the young is very difficult.

Good to know

It will swallow any fish or shrimp up to about its own size, and frogfish kept together may eat each other, so house it alone or with large tankmates. Avoid overfeeding, as obesity and bloat are common in captive frogfish.