Pterois Bioload, filtration question

[FLESHY]

No need, any one of these should work for sure!

Pterois antennata

Pterois radiata

Pterois mombasae

I actually think some of these are cooler than the volitan because you dont see them as often.

 

[Joao M]

Over the years, I´ve kept P. volitans and radiata, as well as the Dendrochirus zebra and brachypterus (dwarf lionfish).

As above mentioned by Fleshy, stay away from volitans because your tank would not be big enough.

I also agree that within the Pterois, good options are radiata and antennata.

You may consider the Dendrochirus zebra. I´ve kept one and IMO they are among the most interesting (and beautiful) of the lionfish. A zebra hunting is an amazing site!

And considering what you said

Thanks for the tips! They say toadfishes can get up to 12 inches, but I believe she's been stunted from being kept in less-than-optimal conditions for most of her life (not enough food, never receiving water changes, etc.)

I believe it would be safe for you to have one.

Although considered dwarf, the D. zebra is not that smaller than the antennata and radiata (roughly the same size of the antennata if I recal correctly).

 

[Laticauda]

I've done a little more research on the dwarf varieties, and have decided they are probably not going to be something I want. I've read they are more prone to staking out the bottom, and I already have three bottom dwellers, and am looking for a mid-high swimming fish as a main display. I will have a lot of rock caves, so I believe this will help a lot.

Thank you for the suggestions and guidance though, I'm definitely happy that I was able to make an informed decision about it.

I'll be asking my local fish guy if he can order either P. mombasae or P. antana(or however you spell it.) I really love the look of the mombasae!

 

[perfect_prefect]

antennata is what i was going to recommend, i had one, great fish good personallity liked to stay mid to upper level, i dont have it anymore as it refused to accept anything but live ghost shrimp or other live shrimp. this is basically the only downside to any of the lion species is the difficulty to convert to frozen foods.

 

[FLESHY]

I have never used live foods on several different lions, but everyone has different experiences.

If you can let it sit in an LFS for awhile (Or better yet, if your LFS has a proper QT program) it will more than likely be feeding before you get it.

The lions I recommended are not technically dwarf lions, and I think they will do what you are looking for.