Andywg Giant Frogfish

When I went to my lfs today with my aunt I saw a frogfish labeled giant frogfish for only 350$. Does this type exist? I took a pic of it, I'm working on uploading it.

atm

Antennarius commerson is often named the giant frogfish.

Max size is listed as 38cm which makes it the third largest of Antenarius spp I am aware of (the roughback and Ocellated frogfish both get larger).

Price will depend on size and colours. The brighter colours tend to go for higher prices, though this can be a risk as frogfish are masters of chromatic camouflage. Within a month a frogfish that was purchased bright orange with black spots can change to black with orange spots so even if you spend the money on an attractive fish, you might not keep one that colour.

Despite their large growing size, they do not require a huge tank as they are somewhat immobile (as are all frogfish). I recall Scott W Michael recommends around 30 gallons or more, though I would feel happier with a 55 as it would give more dilution to the meaty foods you want to feed them.

Tankmates obviously have to chosen with care as frogfish can consume fish larger than themselves, and will often try to digest fish up to twice their size which puts both prey and predator at risk as the food rots in the frogfish's stomach quicker than can be digested. I always recommend keeping frogfish singly, or possbly with conspecifics if you are not afraid of some cannibalism (some species are more likely to eat each other than others).

O cool, no I'm not going to buy him, don't have a SW tank either but I'm going to get the pic up in a few minutes. It was in a large tank by itself, maybe 125 gallons, hopefully it will be an ok pic.

atm

Lets see if this works.............

this

Sorry it was my first picture taken on the camera since I got it just yesterday, only got the corner of his tail, sorry

atm

andywg said:

Antennarius commerson is often named the giant frogfish.
I always recommend keeping frogfish singly, or possbly with conspecifics if you are not afraid of some cannibalism (some species are more likely to eat each other than others).

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andywg, just curious, but can you breed frogfish in aquaria? or are they all wild caught? they are absolutely fascinating looking fish!



greg

For only $350 ? I think $30 is expensive for a fish nevermind $350!

Probably was overpriced, had a roomy tank according to andwg though.

atm

14gtr14 said:

andywg, just curious, but can you breed frogfish in aquaria? or are they all wild caught? they are absolutely fascinating looking fish!
greg

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It is possible. Spawning is not overly difficult, but as with most marine fish, it is getting the fry to eat and survive which is the problem. A member known as Uburfugu on RC and GR has managed to get a number of spawnings, and even one fry up to a fairly good size, though lost it in a move.

The frogfish from the non Striatus group (such as A. pictus, A. multiocellatus or A. nummifer) are less likely to eat conspecifics of a similar size and can be kept in a community with a higher chance of success. Those such as A. striatus, A. hispidus or Histrio histrio are particularly ravenous and so are far more risky to put in with tank mates.

However, the vast majority of frogfish are wild caught, as indeed are almost all marine fish and a very large proportion of FW fish.

thanks andy, maybe something i'll do in my spare time when i'm a millionare


greg

14gtr14 said:

thanks andy, maybe something i'll do in my spare time when i'm a millionare


greg

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Hmmm maybe when you retire and work at a lfs they will pay you to do it.

atm

Once I move and set up a marine rack system on central filtration I plan to have a poke at breeding frogfish. Not for profit, but just to supply the market with captive bred frogs that are already feeding on dead foods (and because the fry are perfect miniatures of their parents, just a few mm long ).