Lionfish tank mates

[nattybug33]

I have a lionfish who, I have had forever now. He shares a 55g tank with a tang and 2 chromis. He's full grown and I feed him very well, he's never bothered his tankmates. Here's my question, I need a new clean up crew badly, can I put some invertebrates in there, like a coral banded, and other shrimp that size, also some snails and hermits. I know no fish that he can fit in his mouth. I'm asking because we had acquired a sickly panther grouper from a friend and being the animal lovers we are tried to bring him back to health and he didnt make it, I know that the grouper would have eaten the invertebrates.

 

[cranberry]

What kind of lionfish are you talking about?

 

[aquaguy24]

Wat type of lion are we talking about here. I wouldn't put shrimp. Snails are fine. Dwarf angels would do well.

 

[aquaguy24]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3106065
What kind of lionfish are you talking about?
LOL u beat me.

 

[nattybug33]

Red volitian

 

[cranberry]

How long have you had him?

 

[sepulatian]

Go with snails and hermits. Shrimp are a tasty treat, especially when introduced after the lion is comfortable.

 

[nattybug33]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3106195
How long have you had him?
4 years

 

[salt210]

Im sorry, but isnt a 55g too small for him? the one I have in my 210 is huge and he isnt done growing

 

[cranberry]

Do you have a picture of him in his tank? Are you sure it's a volitan? They don't really fit in a 55g tank at age of 4.
Ours is all squat up at age 3 in a 60g waiting for his new tank to be put together. If it is volitan and he actually fits in there.... he probably hasn't grown with because of nutrition issues.

 

[nattybug33]

Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3106475
Do you have a picture of him in his tank? Are you sure it's a volitan? They don't really fit in a 55g tank at age of 4.
Ours is all squat up at age 3 in a 60g waiting for his new tank to be put together. If it is volitan and he actually fits in there.... he probably hasn't grown with because of nutrition issues.
Well I know he's a lionfish, but from the reference materials I've read he/she is a devil lionfish which the book says maximum size is 12in. So maybe I was wrong in saying its a volitan, and no he's grown ton since a bought him as a little bitty guy 4 years ago, I feed him very good food. The tank isnt filled up with rock and such, there is live rock in there but he has alot of room to "perch" and hunt.

 

[cranberry]

I would love to see a pic. The Devil Fish is often the common name for a Pterois mombasae. I've been looking for one of those forever. But we really need to get your ID pinned down 100% before we start making tankmate suggestions.
If that's a mombasae, I want to see LOTS of pics... please

 

[fmarini]

if you want to compare pictures, please look up my article. Its loaded w/ photos for ID'ing your lion-- google marini and lionfish, its the first hit.
If it is a P.mombassae then dont expect it to get bigger than 8" in captivity. While wild reports list them at a foot. I've never seen one that big in the home aquarium.