Batrachoididae Species

[Matthew5664]

Does anyone know of somewhere in the UK were I could get one they look coooooollllllll.

 

[CFC]

They pop up from time to time in shops which stock a few oddball type fish, the last place i saw that had them was Maidenhead Aquatics in Crewes Hill, Enfield.

You do realise that they are brackish/marine fish that need to be kept in brackish water with a SG of at least 1.010 and that they can swallow prey 3/4 of their own size dont you?

 

[nmonks]

Also try and take a look at the Aqualog "Brackish Fishes" book, currently the only book out there with any real coverage of these fish. Specifically, it'll help you identify them (a few like the 'prehistoric monster fish' are freshwater, but as CFC says, most need mid brackish to marine).

There are fish that are broadly similar in looks and habit, too. Check out 'freshwater' lionfish, Notesthes robusta, and the waspfish, Tetraroge barbata, both members of the Tetrarogidae. Both these fish need brackish to marine.

None are "easy" fish, and at the very least you will need to start off with a supply of live foods, such as river shrimps, earthworms, or worst case scenario, small fish. As with marine lionfish, most/all can be weaned onto dead foods, but it takes time and patience.

Cheers,

Neale

 

[Matthew5664]

Thnaks for all the info guy's guna think and resurch carfuly befor I commit myself to anything, Been resurching another tank for about 3 months, got loads of info on reef tank however saw a picy of this guy and couldn't resist!!

 

[chris_1127]

if you are still thinking of getting one, fins n things in Newton Abbot, Devon have about 5, labelled up as 3 spined toadfish in their brackish section. they do mail order - not sure how much the post is - but the fish are priced up at 25 quid each and are fat 5" fish. they are really cool in an ugly kind of way - did toy with the idea of getting one but a bit put off by the warnings about its predatory nature
you can find their website at www.finsandthings.co.uk

 

[Joviella]

I bought a "stonefish" in a branch of fins and fur in Heston........They assured me it was a "freshwater" one. Not so.......They are most definitely brackish,if not marine.......gorgeously ugly looking fish with evil looking red eyes that is extremely venomous. Just great for my young boys' tank...lol.