Striated Anglerfish

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Moderate   • Temperament: Semi-Aggressive   • Maximum Size: 9"
• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-80° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Carnivore   • Origin: Indo-Pacific, West Atlantic
• Family: Antennariidae   • Species: Anglers   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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The Striated Anglerfish is an amazing, predatory species that is commonly referred to as the Striped or Zebra Anglerfish/Frogfish. Striated Anglerfish are generally found lounging among sand and rubble around the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific and West Atlantic Oceans. Striated Anglerfish have an excellent natural camouflage which allows them to effectively blend into their surroundings while they lay in wait while "fishing" for benthic fish or crustaceans by wiggling their modified spine (illicium) with the lure-like appendage (esca) at its tip. Striated Anglerfish are quite popular and can be found in a wide variety of color forms; from shades of tan, to white, brown, green, yellow, orange, red, and black.

Striated Anglerfish can coexist peacefully with larger tank mates, but they will eat fish smaller than themselves and have been known to eat fish that are almost their size. It is said that Striated Anglerfish possess a toxic or venomous third dorsal spine that can inflict intense pain (similar to a wasp sting) in humans that can last from several hours to a few days; the spine serves as a deterrent to "would-be" predators. Striated Anglerfish are usually readily available within the hobby and can be acquired through online vendors as well as local retailers.

Striated Anglerfish should be provided with an aquarium of at least 55 gallons with a sandy substrate and an adequate amount of live rock in addition to some scattered coral or rock rubble to help simulate their natural environment. They can have a large biological impact on their aquarium and require strong biological and mechanical filtration in addition to protein skimming to ensure favorable water quality. They are reef safe in regards to coral species, but they will eat smaller fish as well as shrimp and other crustaceans.

Striated Anglerfish are ideally suited to a FOWLR environment where the hobbyist will not have to keep a close eye on them as would be necessary if the species is housed within a reef system. Although they can coexist peacefully with larger tank mates, they should not be housed with puffers or triggers as their "fishing gear" (esca and illicium) will be shredded and eaten fairly quickly. They should not be housed with smaller or similar sized tank mates that could become potential prey.

Striated Anglerfish are carnivores that mainly eat smaller fish and crustaceans in their natural habitat. In the aquarium they should be fed live (possibly "gut-loaded") fish, brine shrimp, and ghost shrimp. They can also be conditioned to accept frozen and other prepared or vitamin-enriched meaty foods from a feeding stick (wiggled around near them) such as krill, mysis shrimp, silver sides, chopped crustacean flesh, blood worms, chopped fresh fish, chopped mussels, chopped scallops, and chopped clams. Striated Anglerfish are a sedentary species and should only be fed every 4-6 days.