All fish / Tetrarogidae

Black Wasp Fish

Neovespicula depressifrons

Also known as wasp fish, black waspfish, freshwater stonefish, indian wasp fish, bullrout, freshwater scorpionfish, black stonefish, estuarine waspfish, ปลาแมงป่อง, ハチ, ikan lepu, 淡水石头鱼

A small, dark, knobbly ambush predator with a long venomous dorsal fin that sits still among rocks and leaf litter, looking like a pebble or dead leaf. It is kept as an oddball curiosity and is often sold as a freshwater stonefish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

7.5 to 8.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Singly, in pairs or a small group of its own kind

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen shrimp, bloodworm, mysis and small fish; often refuses dry food

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Brackish

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific estuaries and lower rivers: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea

Breeding

Little is known about breeding in aquariums and captive spawning is very rarely reported. All trade specimens are wild caught.

Good to know

The dorsal fin spines carry venom that can cause a very painful sting, so handle with nets and care. Although sold as freshwater, it does best in brackish water and will eat any fish or shrimp small enough to swallow.