TankBud

Clown frogfish

Antennarius maculatus

Also known as Warty frogfish, Wartskin frogfish, Warty anglerfish, Clown anglerfish

SaltwaterFish

Clown frogfish (Antennarius maculatus)
iNaturalist.org (Dan Schofield) (Dan Schofield) · CC BY 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.0–8.4
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe with caution
Family
Antennariidae
Origin
Native to the Indo-Pacific, living on rubble, sponge and reef edges where it sits camouflaged waiting to ambush prey.

Overview

A clown frogfish does best in its own small species tank of around 75 litres or more with rock and open bottom, at 24 to 27 C and pH 8.0 to 8.4. It ignores corals but is a pure predator that will eat any fish or shrimp it can fit in its mouth, so it cannot be trusted with tankmates. Feed with tongs or a feeding stick, starting on live saltwater shrimp and weaning onto thawed silversides and shrimp. Do not overfeed, as they will gorge until they harm themselves.

In the wild

The clown frogfish is a lumpy, warty ambush predator that comes in white, yellow, orange or red with dark scribbles, mimicking a sponge or piece of rubble. It has modified pectoral fins it uses like hands to perch and creep along the bottom. On its head sits a tiny fishing rod and lure it wiggles to draw prey within reach.

Good to know

Antennarius maculatus reaches around 15 cm and hunts using a modified first dorsal spine, the illicium, tipped with a fleshy lure that mimics a small fish or shrimp. It has one of the fastest strikes in the animal kingdom, engulfing prey in a few thousandths of a second by suddenly opening its huge mouth. It can swallow prey nearly as large as itself.

Did you know

A hunting frogfish can open its mouth and suck in prey in about six thousandths of a second, one of the quickest feeding strikes ever measured in a fish.

Common questions

What size tank does a Clown frogfish need?

A Clown frogfish needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Clown frogfish need?

A Clown frogfish is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.0–8.4.

How big does a Clown frogfish get?

An adult Clown frogfish reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

Related species