Pterois Volitans "In Tank" Info Recopilation
- Thread starter Roberto G
- Start date
Hey! let's keep talking about Lionfish only please! well my very small Volitans is at a 30gal tank, only for him. He is like 10cm long, the tank have some liferock. He will be moved to a 150gal on january! Any more info?
I will add that Volitans are a very sociable fish. I have mine living with Groupers, Snappers, and triggers and Arothrons. And he just swims with them as if he is one of them. Volitans have no intention of attacking us when we do our system mainainance. They are just curious about what we are doing, if they cruise slowly up to you, do not make a sudden panic movement, or you will startle them. And that is when we get stung, because we impale ourselves on there spines.
My volitans is in a 130g tank with a mexican dragon eel and a yellow head eel. They all seem to get along well, even at feeding time. They all get their share of market shrimp or krill. The eel has rubbed against the lionfish with no apparent ill effects, although if he sees her in time, he will back away from the lionfish. The slime coat on the eel must protect him from stings. So far I have been lucky and have not brushed against her (I don't think I'm slimy enough to get away with it)!
I often witness a very strange sight between my Volitan and my Plectropomus. The Grouper will flare its gills and allow the Volitans spines to enter the gills and rubs against them. The only explanation I can offer is it is using the Volitan as a cleaning station. I would like cleaner shrimp for the job, but they would be mistaken as food.
There are so many different types of Lions. P. Volitans is the most common sold in stores. However, it also grows the largest. There are two different color variations, one is known as red and the otehr black. IMO the black is a little better looking.
They require a tank of at least 150 gallons and should be kept in a small group for. One alone will work, but like all living things, companionship from the same specis in critical for healthy development. Moray eels are great tank companions as are triggers. Again a very large tank if you plan to add those types of fish along with the lion(s). No small tank mates, damsels, clowns, etc.... They'll just become food.
As for the spines, it's the dorsal spines, (top of the body) that are poisionous. Like a bee sting but only 10 times worse. So, don't go in a clean the tank without partitioning 1/2 of it off first. Then go for the 2nd half.
No live goldies or other fish. Make sure that your getting one from the store, or source that eating prepareds. Otherwise, it may be very difficult to switch them over from live.
They get large, 18" and larger when fully grown. Not likely in home aquariums. More like 12" to 15" depending upon the tank size you keep them in.
Good Luck.
They require a tank of at least 150 gallons and should be kept in a small group for. One alone will work, but like all living things, companionship from the same specis in critical for healthy development. Moray eels are great tank companions as are triggers. Again a very large tank if you plan to add those types of fish along with the lion(s). No small tank mates, damsels, clowns, etc.... They'll just become food.
As for the spines, it's the dorsal spines, (top of the body) that are poisionous. Like a bee sting but only 10 times worse. So, don't go in a clean the tank without partitioning 1/2 of it off first. Then go for the 2nd half.
No live goldies or other fish. Make sure that your getting one from the store, or source that eating prepareds. Otherwise, it may be very difficult to switch them over from live.
They get large, 18" and larger when fully grown. Not likely in home aquariums. More like 12" to 15" depending upon the tank size you keep them in.
Good Luck.
