White Painted Anglerfish

White Painted Anglerfish: The Ghostly Hunter

The White Painted Anglerfish (Antennarius pictus), commonly known as the Painted Frogfish, is a fascinating and highly variable ambush predator prized by specialty marine aquarists. While its coloration can range from black, brown, and red to yellow, the "White" variety is particularly sought after for its striking, pale appearance, often mottled with dark spots or patches.

Like all members of the Frogfish family, this species is a master of aggressive mimicry. Its scaleless, bumpy skin and ability to change color allow it to perfectly mimic sponges or rockwork. The White Painted Anglerfish relies on its modified first dorsal spine, the illicium, which acts as a fishing rod with a worm-like lure (esca) at the tip, to draw in prey.

The Painted Anglerfish can reach a maximum size of up to 12 inches (30 cm), making it one of the larger aquarium-suitable frogfish species, although many specimens stay smaller. Due to its size and predatory nature, a minimum tank size of 50 gallons is recommended, which must contain ample structure for perching.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: This is an obligate Carnivore and an insatiable ambush predator. In the wild, it consumes small fish and crustaceans. In captivity, it must be weaned onto frozen, meaty foods, such as marine shrimp, krill, and chunks of squid, using long tongs to target-feed and simulate a live target. Avoid feeding any freshwater feeder fish as this leads to fatal nutritional deficiencies.
• Feeding: Anglerfish are sedentary hunters with low metabolisms. They should only be fed until their stomach shows a slight bulge, typically every 2 to 4 days, depending on the size of the meal. Overfeeding is a common cause of death in captivity. It is crucial that new specimens are quickly converted from live food to a nutritious frozen diet.
• Reef Compatibility: It is Reef Safe With Caution. The Anglerfish will not bother corals, but it will consume virtually every ornamental invertebrate (shrimp, crabs, snails) and any fish that can fit into its enormous, protusible mouth, which can swallow prey nearly twice its size. It is best suited for a fish-only (FOWLR) or species-specific aquarium.
• Temperament: It is Semi-Aggressive / Predatory. It is passive toward humans and non-prey tankmates but is an aggressive predator. Tankmates must be large, robust, and significantly faster than the Anglerfish. They should be kept singly unless the tank is very large and the individuals are similar in size.
• Aquarium Setup: Provide plenty of low-flow areas with live rock and structure where the fish can perch and camouflage itself. Anglerfish are known to occasionally "jet propel" themselves but primarily "walk" on their pectoral fins.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Antennarius pictus
• Primary Common Name: White Painted Anglerfish
• Other Common Names: Painted Frogfish, Clown Anglerfish, Spotted Frogfish
• Origin: Indo-Pacific (Widespread)
• Max Size: Up to 12 inches (30 cm)
• Temperament: Semi-Aggressive / Predatory
• Diet: Carnivore (Must be trained to frozen meaty foods)
• Minimum Tank Size: 50+ Gallons
• Reef Compatibility: With Caution (Will eat small fish and all ornamental shrimp/crabs)