🐠 Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus)
Ambush Predator • Reef Camo Hunter • Marine Oddity • Display Species
 
📋 The Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus) is one of the ocean’s most fascinating ambush predators, famous for its incredible camouflage and lightning-fast strike. Covered in wart-like textures and capable of changing color to match its surroundings, this fish is often nearly invisible among corals and sponges.
It uses a specialized lure (illicium) on its head to attract prey, waiting motionless before snapping its jaws open faster than the blink of an eye. Despite its fierce hunting ability, it remains docile and slow-moving, making it a unique display species for advanced aquarists.
The Painted Frogfish is ideal for species-only or predator-themed aquariums, where its cryptic appearance and behavior can be fully appreciated.
 
💡 Highlights
✨ Master of disguise: changes color to match reef surroundings
⚪ Lightning-fast strike: one of the fastest feeding responses in fish
📏 Compact size: reaches up to 15 cm (6")
✅ Ideal for species tanks: fascinating behavior and camouflage
🐠 Rare and collectible: highly sought after among marine enthusiasts