Volitans Lionfish - May Set Tank Up?

[simonas]

I've never kept marine but have a brackish tank with G tiles morays and toadfish

I have a 150gallon 60x30x24 it currently has tropical in and has a large external filter cleaning it

I've always wanted a tank with volitans lionfish in. I have some questions? lol

Is my tank big enough for more than one lionfish? I don't fancy just one. If so how many and would they live in harmony for their lives

If I coyuld have them in my tank could I also keep a moray in there or maybe put my own morays in there? and also what would the chances of a puffer be

Would the addition of a protein skimmer suffice or would I need to do more for the set up

any advice would be greatly welcomed as I fancy setting up a lionfish tank now! lol

 

[Pleccy]

Pterois lionfish tend to be more peaceful to others of the same species but you still need to excercise caution, if the fish start to become aggressive with each other you will need to remove the aggressor.

Lionfish are best kept in fish-only tanks, you can use some of the equipment from your tropical tank but you will need a protein skimmer. You might also be able to use the lighting, but forget about keeping most species of coral, however you might get away with mushroom polyps. Aside from this you will also need the following:

Hydrometer
Salt
Powerhead or pump for water movement (you should aim for a minimum tank turnover of 10 times per hour)
Coral sand
Live rock (This will form the biological filtration)
Food
RO unit (You don't strictly need a reverse osmosis unit for fish only tanks but it would be a good investment)
Algae scraper
Chemical filtration media (such as carbon or rowaphos)

 

[shibby]

you can keep corals with lionfish only reason there not considered reef safe is because they eat small fish and shrimps. moray will be fine, i wouldnt risk a puffer.

a nice big skimmer would be beneficial.

 

[Pleccy]

you can keep corals with lionfish only reason there not considered reef safe is because they eat small fish and shrimps. moray will be fine, i wouldnt risk a puffer.

a nice big skimmer would be beneficial.

Soft corals are best, I'm not too sure about SPS or LPS corals.

 

[shibby]

great link for them:

http/www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-11/...ature/index.php

they should be fine with nearly all corals, they usually just hunt shrimps and fish, i dont think there very able to munch on corals, moray eels can also be kept with corals too.

 

[SkiFletch]

That's correct, Lionfish do NOT eat/harm/nip corals. As mentioned, smaller fish, shrimps, and some crabs are prime targets for their appetite though. And do remember that the lionfish can open it's mouth MUCH larger than you'd expect. The eel would of course be fine, but many others would be a risk

 

[simonas]

thanks for the great replies. so it seems that with my tank size I could perhaps get four young fish and see how they get on as they get older. I'm not too bothered about corals and the like but was thinking about getting big pieces of rock with holes in for the eels

If I didn't improve my current lighting would the lionfish actually appreciate the lower lighting?

 

[humpy_the_humphead_wrasse]

4 of them. DAMN you must have a very big wallet!!! HEHE wish i could afford 4 of them. theyr like 200$AUD each arent they?

 

[simonas]

4 of them. DAMN you must have a very big wallet!!! HEHE wish i could afford 4 of them. theyr like 200$AUD each arent they?

I don't know what that is in sterling lol but they are about £20-£25 in my local shop. still a lot of cash but I'd sneak that past the mrs!!lol

 

[humpy_the_humphead_wrasse]

jesus ur lucky. thats the price of a frontosa here. is my math is right pounds is bout 3X the AUD.

 

[seffieuk]

200.00 Australian dollars = 79.26 British pounds sterling


Seffie x

 

[andywg]

Having seen an adult volitans in a tank at an lfs I don't think 4 in that tank will be wise. They get at least 10-12" long and are as wide as they are long with their spread fins.

 

[simonas]

Having seen an adult volitans in a tank at an lfs I don't think 4 in that tank will be wise. They get at least 10-12" long and are as wide as they are long with their spread fins.

I wondered about that and it was the original question I asked but no one mentoned size. I didn't realise they got as big as 16 inches. Maybe ok with two though eh?

 

[andywg]

I don't know what they are like temperament wise in pairs. I know they are good in groups but a pair may end in one being over dominant. It may, however, be fine.

Have you considered the other Pterois species? P. radiata is (in my opinion) a more attractive fish than the volitans and tops out at 9" and 7-8" is probably a more likely size in captivity. Also, P. antennata stays an inch or so smaller again, meaning the potential for a small "pride" of lionfish is opened up again.