Psychedelic Frogfish

Histiophryne psychedelica

Described only in 2009, it bounces along the bottom like a rubber ball, pushing off with its fins and jetting water from its gills.

A predatory saltwater fish that grows to 9 cm, lives near the bottom and needs 24–28 °C, pH 8.0–8.4 and an aquarium of at least 80 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Saltwater

Temperature

24–28 °C (75–82 °F)

pH

8.0–8.4

Adult size

9 cm (3.5 in)

Aquarium

80 L or bigger (21 US gal)

Temperament

Predator

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Bottom

Diet

Carnivore

Wild home

Shallow reefs of Ambon, Indonesia

Good to know

• Shy. Stressed without plants, rocks or caves to hide in.
• Bottom crawler. Walks along the substrate.

Tank mates

Good company: Banggai Cardinalfish, Copperband Butterflyfish, Coral Beauty, Foxface Rabbitfish, Green Chromis, Ocellaris Clownfish, Peppermint Angelfish, Royal Gramma, Seahorse, Six-Line Wrasse.

Will eat: Harlequin Shrimp, Neon Goby, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp.

Eaten by: Clown Triggerfish, Lantern Anglerfish, Lionfish, Snowflake Moray.

Attacks: Aurora Moon Jelly, Flower Hat Jelly.

Attacked by: Clown Triggerfish.

Eats the newborn fry of: Banggai Cardinalfish, Green Chromis, Ocellaris Clownfish, Royal Gramma, Seahorse, Yellowtail Damselfish.

Colours

• Classic mythic

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.