Red-Orange Angler

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Moderate   • Temperament: Semi-Aggressive   • Maximum Size: 6"
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Carnivore   • Origin: Indo-Pacific, South Pacific
• Family: Antennariidae   • Species: Anglers   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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Red-Orange Anglers also, often referred to as Frogfish spend their time positioned amongst rocks or corals waiting for prey to wander close enough to strike. While waiting the Angler will wiggle a small fish-shaped lure which is a modified fin located on its forehead, which it uses to attract curious fish and invertebrate species within striking distance. The Red-Orange Angler varies in coloration from a brighter red color all the way to a deep orange coloration. Their varying colors allow them to blend in with their natural coral reef environment, where they wait to ambush unsuspecting prey.

The appearance of the Red-Orange Angler also varies with various spots, stripes or tassels that also work to conceal the Angler from prey. Their body shapes and colors vary to match corals and sponges within their surroundings over periods ranging from a few minutes to a few days. Overall Anglers or Frogfish are a very interesting species that are well suited for aquarium life and have a unique style that makes them very popular with many aquarists.

Anglers are a sedentary species that spend their time camouflaged within the reef using their modified dorsal fin lure to attempt to attract small fish and crustaceans to consume. They do not tend to swim too much, but instead use jointed elbow-like pectoral fin to move themselves around the reef with what actually looks like feet and toes. In nature they live in coastal tide pools, shallow lagoons and coral reefs where they hide amongst brightly colored corals, sponges and algae encrusted live rock.

A proper aquarium setup for the Red-Orange Angler should include plenty of live rock or live rock with corals in which the Angler can move about. Anglers can be kept in reef aquariums without harming corals or sessile invertebrates, and are also suitable for smaller aquariums and larger nano cubes.

In its natural environment, the Red-Orange Angler feeds primarily on small fish and crustaceans that wonder close to it or lured over by the Anglers fish-shaped lure. When first introduced into the aquarium, the Red-Orange Angler can be offered live marine feeder shrimp or marine feeder fish. They will attempt to consume any fish or invertebrate that will fit in their mouths, which can expand to nearly 12 times the size of the angler, so care should be exercised with which tank mates to keep them with. The Red-Orange Angler will accept most meaty foods including feeder fish.