Care Sheet
Frogfish Care
Feeding
Frogfish are picky eaters often only accepting live foods. Saltwater shrimp and fish are usually readily accepted. Freshwater feed guppies and mollies can also be used, but should be used sparingly as the don't provide the frogfish with many important nutrients. At Frog Fish Planet we try to wean each of our frogfish onto frozen foods, although this is not alway easy and sometimes takes months to train a frogfish to accept frozen foods. Some of the more common frozen foods that frogfish will accept are silversides, krill, etc. On each page we specify if a specimen is eating frozen or live foods and what type of foods we are currently feeding them. We recommend that before you get your frogfish you make sure that you have a supply of acceptable foods ready. In order to entice your frogfish into eating frozen food a feeding stick is often used. This is usually a clear acrylic rod that a piece of food can be attached to and "wiggled" in front of the frogfish in order to trick him into eating whatever you are offering him.
Frogfish have a slow metabolism and only need to be feed every 4-5 days. Although frogfish can eat very large pieces of food it is best to feed them a couple smaller pieces instead of one large piece. At times frogfish may refuse to eat for long periods of time. Sometimes for 2-3 weeks. They often will then start eating again after this long fast.
Aquarium
Frogfish range in size from very small to very large. Each specimen will require a different aquarium size (see individual species pages for more information). Frogfish usually like to find a comfortable spot and sit and wait for a tasty meal to float by. They are not great swimmers and do not move a lot. Most frogfish are comfortable with a modest setup using dim to bright lights, a little rock work (liverock works great) and some acceptable marine substrate.
Compatibility / Tankmates
Although we like to keep or frogfish in their own aquarium it is possible to put a frogfish in a reef or fish only tank, but please talk the following precautions.
- Frogfish will eat any fish or mobile invert they THINK they can swallow. Usually a good rule of thumb is the fish or invert needs to be at least 2x longer than the frogfish, any smaller and your frogfish may make a meal out of your favorite fish/invert. It is possible for your frogfish to attempt to swallow a fish that is too big for them to eat killing both fish.
- Frogfish blend into their surroundings so well that some fish will graze on their skin (thinking that they are are picking a some algae, sponge, etc.). Triggers, Angelfish, Butterflyfish, and Puffers should all be avoided. Almost any grazing fish may be a problem and should be watch closely. Even tangs will sometimes harrass a frogfish by constant grazing.
- Frogfish have been successfully keep with other frogfish, but their sizes should be similar and there is always the risk that you will end up with only one very full frogfish.
- Frogfish will usually leave corals, sponges and other sessile inverts alone, but it is possible that the frogfish may perch on top of your favorite coral.
Water Parameters
Essentially frogfish require the same type of water quality as other saltwater fish and corals.
Salinity: 1.022-1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: < 10