Tailjet Frogfish (Antennarius analis) Care Guide
Antennarius analis, the tailjet frogfish, is a small cryptic Indo-Pacific ambush predator now placed by FishBase in the genus Abantennarius.
Overview
Antennarius analis, the tailjet frogfish, is a small benthic marine fish of the family Antennariidae. FishBase currently lists this species under the accepted name Abantennarius analis (Schultz, 1957). It is a cryptic, variable-coloured ambush predator of the Indo-Pacific.
Taxonomy
- Family: Antennariidae
- Genus: Antennarius
- Scientific name: Antennarius analis
- Currently accepted name (FishBase): Abantennarius analis (Schultz, 1957)
Habitat
FishBase records the species in the Indo-Pacific, from Christmas Island and the Rowley Shoals to the Society Islands, including Palau, Fiji, Samoa, Oahu and Hawaii. It is reef-associated and benthic, collected from tide pools to outer reef slopes. Reported depths range from 2 to 21 m, with a preferred temperature around 27-29 °C.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Adult size: 8-12 cm (FishBase reports a maximum of 7.8 cm SL)
- Lifespan: 5-20 years
Diet
The tailjet frogfish is a carnivore; FishBase assigns it a trophic level of 4.0, indicating a predatory diet inferred from its closest relatives. Like other frogfish it is an ambush predator. In aquaria it is typically fed live or thawed meaty foods such as silversides.
Compatibility
This is a solitary, bottom-dwelling species best kept alone or only with conspecifics of similar size. Smaller fish and ornamental shrimp would be eaten and should be avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2021), as reported by FishBase.