Anglerfish basic care? (Antennarius sp.)

kim7 · Mar 31, 2016

Hi all, does anyone have anglers? I tried finding some basic care for them online, but I couldnt find any valid information. Would anyone want to tell me about them, like what to feed, how much to feed, can I touch them, compatablility, tank size etc. Thanks!

dark waters · Mar 31, 2016

Hi.....I was really considered these fish..... they eat MEAT....lol....or anything that will fit in their mouth.... anglers are venomous...if they died in the tank they may do like puffers and COULD kill everything not immune or spread venom into all your equipment. Thing to me member is when you put them in your tank it from that point on a venomous tank....AND THE EQUIPMENT.... they are awesome and unique animals and I would love to see you successful at them.
Krill is an option for food....

kim7 · Mar 31, 2016

revhtree · Mar 31, 2016

@Lionfish Lair @FeliciaLynn

Waters · Mar 31, 2016

I am by no means an expert on Anglers but I have never heard that they are venomous? They will eat pretty much anything that moves and can fit into their mouths.

FeliciaLynn · Mar 31, 2016

Unfortunately I don't know much about anglers. I didn't think they were venomous, but I could be wrong. I know they'll eat anything their size or smaller so they're best for a species only tank. I think it's also best to only keep one angler because they will even try to eat other anglers. I know they don't swim, so I don't think they need much space, so a smaller tank is fine. I think basically you just need to have a tank with enough water volume for the bio load since they will be messy like other predators. I'd guess that they probably eat similar foods to Lionfish, but I'm out of my depth there. Hopefully someone who's had an angler can chime in.

Lionfish Lair · Apr 1, 2016

Anglers.... they are their own category of beast. You always hear lions and such can eat things "their own size and bigger".... that's not actually true. But there IS someone who can eat something literally bigger than their "empty dimensions".... the ANGLER! They're not venomous or poisonous and are like every other fish in that regard. Their only claim to fame is they can eat very large things.

They do have this issue termed "S.A.D."... Sudden Angler Death. They are fine forever and then they suddenly start darting around and then it's all over. You also have to be careful of removing them from the water to the air because they can swallow air. Then you'll have to burp them or watch them float around your tank until they die. Sometimes they can get it out themselves, because they are made to draw in air and propel themselves that way instead of normal swimming, but I've seen may bobbing like a buoy.

Is there any particular questions?