Frogfish with Rhizotrochus typus?

[uhuru]

About the fish:
I'm getting closer to picking out the frogfish I like. I may be getting a 3" one with color markings I like. He will be going in a 20g non-photosynthetic tank as the sole fish.

About the corals:
I have a couple of Rhizotrochus typus in a 150g sump in the basement, that used to be in my 20g but were temporarily relocated. One of them is pretty big, probably 6-8" tentacles fully expanded. When I feed it, and it grabs onto my extended syringe, the strength is quite impressive, though I can easily pull the syringe away.

I have thought about putting the rhizos back in the 20g but now I'm not sure it's a good idea. Would the frogfish be at risk of being eaten by the rhizo? It's slow moving enough, and I guess the question is, are they aware of what is safe to rest on and what isn't? The same concern would apply to someone attempting to keep a frogfish with a larger anemone I suppose.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I think it would be a definite risk. I remember seeing a pic of a Rhizo eating an anthias or sixline wrasse or something. Point being, if it could eat a fish that we have trouble catching, I doubt a froggie would last long.

 

[LisaD]

I agree, frogfish are poor swimmers with sensitive skin.

 

[SanJuan]

I have two frogfishes and several Rhizotrochus typus in the same tank. They have been together for well over a year and no problems. I have seen them grab on to the frogfishes but they move and break free easily. Mind you that my Rhizo's tentacles are only between 4 -5". For the most part the frogfishes keep away from the mouth and occasionally rest on the back of the Rhizo. What type of frogfish are you planning of purchasing? and at what size will it be? When I got mine (Antennarius pictus) they were tiny like 3/4th of an inch and are now around 1 1/2" inches. You can always buy a larger species or a more fuller grown of the smaller species if you are worried.

I see that the problem with anthias or wrasses is that they very thin and therefore easy to swallow, unlike a frogfish which is more like a ball.

Either way, think about it and check out the frogfishes available, and if it does not feel right then don't buy it, last thing you want to do is to be stressing. HTH

 

[snorvich]

I think it would be a definite risk. I remember seeing a pic of a Rhizo eating an anthias or sixline wrasse or something. Point being, if it could eat a fish that we have trouble catching, I doubt a froggie would last long.

there is no doubt that it would be a risk. Sooner or later . . .

 

[uhuru]

Thanks for the comments. I've decided not to put the rhizos in the same tank as the fish.

 

[stunreefer]

I remember seeing a pic of a Rhizo eating an anthias or sixline wrasse or something.

This one ?

The anthias was already dead... we wanted to see if/how fast/just cuz it would eat it.

Freddy soon learned to stay away from the rhizo:

As you know Mike I have a couple, and have witnessed them grab both my Sunburst anthias and my Bandit. The sunburst being under 2" has really no issues puuling away - granted it's only one or two tentacles grabbing him, but he just fidgets once quickly and breaks free. The (~4") bandit has basically swam right into my largest one (~8" when expanded) while chasing food and had no issues whatsoever getting away. He just casually strutted out of harms way. Although rhizos are extremely predatious and respond to feedings very quickly pulling in their tentacles extremely fast, I've found them to not be all that strong.

With all that said, I would think frogfish would be much more susceptable to being eaten based on their sluggishness and sloth like movement, however SanJuan has posted otherwise.

 

[SanJuan]

I agree that for the most part Frogfishes display "poor" "sluggishness" swimming, but they also have the capability to exhibit short rapid burst of energy when they capture prey or escape predation.