Fishy question

[xrenegadex]

3 questions....

I would love to get a lion fish.

1.) How big of a tank do they need?
2.) Can they go in with other fish?
3.) And off #2, What do they eat?

 

[Foxy1983]

1) At LEAST 75gal from experience...we had a 200gal with ours (going back a few yrs now)
2) We never kept anything smaller than our lionfish, and didn't keep any crabs as they find them a tasty meal...
3) As they're well known for being predators they love fishmeat, prawns, beefheart, lancemeat etc

Beautiful fish and very hardy

 

[The Reefer]

The tank I have now, is a 35 gallon, which housed a lion fish. He wasn't that big, but he was the only fish in the tank. I wouldn't reccomend housing him in anything smaller than a 55 gallon. I myself have never had a lion fish, the tank I got off a buddy of mine. I just don't think a 35 gallon tank is big enough. Plus I know what it feels like to be stung by one of those bad boys.

As far as your other 2 questions, Foxy answered them.

 

[xrenegadex]

well....guess i have to wait on my lion fish then.....no way can I afford (or have room for) a 55 gal. tank...there are nice looking fish though...*sigh*...reason i'm asking....one pet stor has one for $20....only about 5 inches long....like a baby....if he could go in a small tank, then i'd be all over it....but oh well...

 

[The Reefer]

Yeah, they are beautiful fish. But they get big fast.

 

[xrenegadex]

how big do they get?

 

[Mr Miagi]

It really depends on the species you keep.

Pterois Volitans can grow 30cm's PLUS but some other species such as Pterois antennata which only grow to 25cms and under.

You can keep severla together as long as they are the same size.

If you want to know more, buy some recent books. I have one on salt water tanks and aquariums called "the complete book of te marine aquarium" by Vincent B. Hargraves. Or go to a local university that teaches marine biology like mine and you can buy some good books, although expensive. But they are probably not what you need.

 

[Fishy411]

u can keep one in a 30 maybe 2. Here is the list and tank requirements.

Fu Manchu lionfish- 4"- 30 gallons. Can keep 2 in a 30 with good filtration
Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish-7"- can keep one and another smaller fish in a 30 with good filtration
Dwarf Zebra lionfish-7"- same
Anternnata lion- 8"- same
Radiata lion-10" needs a t least a 40 w/o tankmates 55 w/ tankmates
Russells lion- 12" 55 w/o tankmates, 75 w/ tankmates. THese fish like to swim
Volitans lion- 15" - 75 w/o tankmates , 100 w/ tankmates


I would recommend doing 2 Fu manchus in a 30. No u CANNOt keep one in anythign less because they need good water levels adn in anythign undert a 30 the levels fluctuate too much. Goo dluck