Wartskin Anglerfish

Wartskin Anglerfish: The Master of Ambush

The Wartskin Anglerfish (Antennarius maculatus), also known as the Warty Frogfish or Clown Frogfish, is one of the most sought-after and fascinating ambush predators for the specialized marine aquarium. Its name comes from its skin, which is covered in numerous small, wart-like protuberances, giving it the appearance of a porous rock or sponge.

Native to the shallow, sheltered reefs of the Indo-West Pacific, this anglerfish is a master of aggressive mimicry. It can dramatically change its body color and texture—from white, yellow, and red to brown, pink, and black—to perfectly blend into its surroundings. This camouflage is crucial to its survival and feeding strategy.

The Wartskin Anglerfish is a sedentary creature, spending most of its time "walking" or hopping along the substrate and live rock using its modified pectoral fins. It reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm), and due to its low activity and small size, it can be kept in a specialized aquarium of 30 to 50 gallons.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: This fish is a dedicated Carnivore and an expert ambush predator. It uses its specialized fishing lure (the illicium and esca) to attract small fish and crustaceans. In captivity, it must be weaned onto frozen, meaty foods, such as marine shrimp, krill, chunks of squid, and silversides.
• Feeding: Anglerfish have a slow metabolism and should only be fed 1 to 3 times per week. Overfeeding can lead to health issues or prolonged hunger strikes. Use tongs or a feeding stick to wiggle the frozen food near the lure to initiate a strike. Never feed freshwater feeder fish (e.g., guppies, goldfish) as this causes nutritional deficiencies.
• Reef Compatibility: It is Reef Safe With Extreme Caution. It will not eat sessile invertebrates like corals, but it is a severe threat to all ornamental shrimp, crabs, and any fish that can fit into its surprisingly large, extensible mouth, which is capable of swallowing prey nearly its own size.
• Temperament: Sedentary / Predatory. It is non-aggressive toward non-prey tankmates but should only be housed in a fish-only (FOWLR) system with large, robust, and fast-moving fish that are at least twice its size (e.g., large angelfish, tangs, groupers). Avoid aggressive nippers (like some large triggers) that might damage its lure.
• Aquascaping: The tank must have plenty of stable, varied live rockwork, caves, and sheltered areas, ideally incorporating sponges or soft coral skeletons, to provide perching spots that allow the anglerfish to camouflage itself.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Antennarius maculatus
• Primary Common Name: Wartskin Anglerfish
• Other Common Names: Warty Frogfish, Clown Frogfish, Warty Angler
• Origin: Indo-West Pacific (Shallow Coral Reefs)
• Max Size: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
• Temperament: Sedentary / Predatory
• Diet: Carnivore (Must be converted to frozen meaty foods)
• Minimum Tank Size: 30-50 Gallons (Species-specific setup)
• Reef Compatibility: With Extreme Caution (Will eat all small fish and inverts)