Stonefish placement, need help. (Pics)

[charles-n-charge]

First off, I want to be sure we're all on the same page on what fish I'm talking about when I say "Stonefish"



Batrachomoeus trispinosus
Brackish/Saltwater fish
Advertised as FW, even though it's not
Also known as Lionfish, Toadfish, Three-spined fish, ect.

Ok, now that we're on the same page and know exactly what I'm talking about (hopefully)...

I've had this guy for awhile (his name is Leon), currently he's in a 20g SW tank all by himself, a little over-filtered... (alot over-filtered)...

Soon I want to turn this tank into a nano-reef, and I want to know if he would be safe with corals and live-rock in the tank, or if he should be moved to a 55g SW first.

Also, i really enjoy hearing stories about these guys if any of you have ever kept them before. He's probably my favorite fish lol

Thanks guys

 

[AQUAMONSTER]

I have a had a few a kept him in brackish tank and they did fine, but all died after a while. Not the easiest fish to keep but have heard they do much better in 100% salt. I kept 3 total but one was my fav because he would make noise only when he was hungry. The other 2 did it when the lights were out. I almost go stung by them before but manages to escape without being harmed. They say its like getting stung by a bee, well im allergic to bees so thank god

 

[charles-n-charge]

They don't "sting" though? I pick mine up and play with him, he enjoys it from what I can tell lol. I hand-feed him a lot too. They aren't really dangerous fish at all

 

[AQUAMONSTER]

They are all venomous to some extent and i dont think you should push it. LFS where i got mine sold a one to a guy and he was stung and sent to the hospital after going into shock. Now they sell them with warning labels

 

[charles-n-charge]

They don't contain any form on venom in their bodies. They can, however, stab or scratch their owners with their dorsal fin or with the hard bony parts of their gills, but this normally happens from the owner doing something stupid. They don't try to hurt people. Being cut by them can lead to infections though due to a combination of both their thick slime-coat (which collects anything floating in the water) and the aquarium water itself; and can feel like a "sting" if they're being kept in saltwater (we all know what cuts feel like in saltwater).