The Frogfish Files

[Brent F]

I have a nanocube 6 gal which is tied into an 82 gallon system so water quaility shouldn't be an issue but would that small of a tank be okay for a small species of frogfish? Or, do they need more swimming room?

 

[rjarnold]

Well the problem you're going to run into is that you're not going to find many small frogfishes that come through the aquarium trade. There is Antennatus tuberosus, the pygmy angler, but it isn't very hardy and shipping is really hard on them, so I recommend not buying them to dissuade fish collectors from taking them. I suppose perhaps a small Antennarius maculatus might work...if, in theory, that don't live much more than a year in captivity anyways *shrugs*

 

[reefD]

snails and hermits with a small angler ? like 3 inches big....i know he may eat it but is it that common that they eat a hermit crab and dont spit ot out due to the hard shell?

 

[gotfrogs]

I have some small hermits with my 2" frogfish and he has not eaten them. He just watches them =)

 

[rjarnold]

I'm under the impression that, in general, frogfishes won't eat hermits and/or snails. It *does* happen sometimes though, so just be aware of that. Personally I have never bothered to take my snails/hermits out just because of the frogfish.

 

[reefD]

thanks guys! i figured that the hermits would be fine since my shaggy leaves them alone just wanted to be sure cause the warty will be much smaller. anyways ill have some pictures when my froggy arrives. im excited!!!! im working with distributers to get a show specimen!

 

[rjarnold]

Do you really have a shaggy? I could really use a tissue sample if you're willing!

 

[reefD]

yeah i got a shaggy angler ......not willing to get a skin scrapping cause of the stress involved. hes happy as hell swims a lot as the species is known for. i have a pic in this thread from 2 years ago.

 

[reefD]

okay any info on the likly hood of a fatality due to eating a snail or hermit? i asking cause of the shell. do the pass it? is it a certain death if they eat a snail shell and all?

 

[rjarnold]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11954135#post11954135 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefD
yeah i got a shaggy angler ......not willing to get a skin scrapping cause of the stress involved. hes happy as hell swims a lot as the species is known for. i have a pic in this thread from 2 years ago.

Very cool that he's been with you so long. I did check out the picture as well, very nice looking! If he were to happen to die, which I certainly hope he doesn't, could you just throw him in the freezer asap? Thanks!

 

[rjarnold]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11954140#post11954140 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefD
okay any info on the likly hood of a fatality due to eating a snail or hermit? i asking cause of the shell. do the pass it? is it a certain death if they eat a snail shell and all?

I think that might depend on the size of the shell. If it's large enough, it can block the passing of organic material and then yes, certain death would occur. I don't believe there's anything toxic in the shell itself, so if it were small enough and didn't end up blocking the beginning of the intestine, the acidity from the stomach should eventually break it down.

 

[reefD]

thanks for the info fellas ....my warty should be in soon. ill post picks asap when he arrives!

 

[reefD]

 

[reefD]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11955283#post11955283 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rjarnold
Very cool that he's been with you so long. I did check out the picture as well, very nice looking! If he were to happen to die, which I certainly hope he doesn't, could you just throw him in the freezer asap? Thanks!

that'd be he!

 

[Reefcherie]

reefD he's gorgeous!! :thumbsup:

 

[rjarnold]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11987584#post11987584 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefD
that'd be he!

Very cool. I was just looking at a cleared and stained specimen of a toadfish (sister order to Lophiiformes) and it had a shell in its stomach

 

[reefD]

thanks cherie ....rj a shell in the stomach......sounds like they commonly swollow and tolerate this? right?

 

[rjarnold]

Well firstly, it was a toadfish and not a frogfish, so that may not mean much. Secondly, it was just one specimen, so who knows really if that means they can tolerate it - for all I know, this one was captured because it was 'on its way out' already. But I really have no guesses at this point.

But, on that note, I have heard of a monkfish (also a type of anglerfish in the Order Lophiiformes, which is the same order as frogfishes) that had a fully wrapped baby ruth in its stomach. Must have been pretty flashy falling down

 

[reefD]

lol

 

[Swanwillow]

wow, now I too want a frogfish... but the whole death at 6 months thing.. doesn't suit me.

cute fish though!