blue finned/black foot lionfish
- Thread starter antwon
- Start date
fmarini
Member
Heres a excerpt freebie--taken from the book in my avatar
Common Name:Blackfoot lion. Bluefin lion
Maximum size: to 7”
Minimum tank size: 40gallons
The Bluefin lion is temperate water lionfish found in water ranging from 10 to 300 meters deep. It is a very unique lionfish in that it remains substrate hidden, and during the day is frequently found half buried in a silty or sandy pit that is excavated by the lionfish. Additionally, the fish will remain in open reef flats, coastal bays, in fine sand or muddy habitats and in zones of clear sandy bottoms with minimal hiding areas during the day. At dusk it is more active, hunting for small fish and crustaceans.
The Bluefin lion is unique in that its possess elongated upper caudal fin rays that extend well past the tail. A squared off (truncate) caudal fin, and 2 dermal appendages that extend past its lower lip, similar to what is seen in D. biocellotus. To the casual viewer this fish appears to be a fusion of a Fu Man Chu lionfish head with body of a Dwarf Zebra lion in shape and coloration. The adults of this species have beautiful blue broken bands on the inner surface (axillary side) of their pectoral fins. When resting the pec fins are kept close to the body, however upon excitement the fins are rapidly extended displaying a black surface with flashing neon blue stripes. When startled the Bluefin lion puts on an amazing display. First it rears up from its pit, and extended its dorsal spines towards the attackers, Next, it proceed to flick its pectoral fins, and rotates its body 360 degrees. This display not only confuses the would-be predator, but also affords the fish the ability to “defend in place”. Should the threat continue only then would the lionfish leave its pit. In the wild this fish is considered uncommon to find.
Commentary: This is a new introduction in the marine hobby, and therefore we have very limited hands on husbandry information. The primary reason why it hadn’t been collected for trade is its requirement for temperature water. However in 2005, a few shipments of Bluefin lions collected from the Philippines were brought into the USA, and from these limited fish a number of hobbyists provided anecdotal reports that we use to gather some basic husbandry tips.
Essentially, the husbandry for this fish is the same as for mid-bodied Pteroinae lionfish with the 2 major additions of including sandy substrate, and temperate water. In the home aquarium the bluefin lionfish will find an appropriate site and begun to excavate a shallow depression, once the pit is created the lionfish will “hunker” down in this pit. Initially Bluefin lions will require live foods, such as ghost shrimp and feeder fish, and a number of hobbyists report being unable to wean these fish onto prepared marine foods. In regards to feeding the lionfish, the Bluefins would capture the usual fare, but interestingly would not venture too far away from its pit, swimming out a short distance to capture the food items and hastily returning. If the bluefin lion was harassed with the handle of a fish net, the Bluefin would rear upwards, point its dorsal spines towards the net handle and proceed to circle as described above.
A Major concern with this fish. To date there have been no hobbyist reports of successfully keeping of these fish long-term. While most hobbyists had little problem getting these fish to eat live ghost shrimp, and weaned onto prepared foods. Of the hobbyists that did have success getting them to eat prepared foods, no reports suggest they were able to keep the fish longer than 1yr. Most perished within 3 month of purchase. It is unclear what the reasons why this fish is proving to be so difficult to keep. Since its initial description, Bluefin lions have been considered temperate water fish; the collection of Bluefin lions from the Philippines suggested that a warm water tolerant (tropical) population was being collected. While dives reports indicate Bluefin lionfish are present in the Phillipines , the reports also mention that the fish are located in the areas of coldest water. In Bali’s secret bay, the Bluefin lionfish are located near the cold water upwellings; the same is being reported for Kapalai-Mabul. Whatever the case maybe, these fish seem to do poorly in the home aquarium. While spectacular and rare they are not recommended for the beginner hobbyist.
Common Name:Blackfoot lion. Bluefin lion
Maximum size: to 7”
Minimum tank size: 40gallons
The Bluefin lion is temperate water lionfish found in water ranging from 10 to 300 meters deep. It is a very unique lionfish in that it remains substrate hidden, and during the day is frequently found half buried in a silty or sandy pit that is excavated by the lionfish. Additionally, the fish will remain in open reef flats, coastal bays, in fine sand or muddy habitats and in zones of clear sandy bottoms with minimal hiding areas during the day. At dusk it is more active, hunting for small fish and crustaceans.
The Bluefin lion is unique in that its possess elongated upper caudal fin rays that extend well past the tail. A squared off (truncate) caudal fin, and 2 dermal appendages that extend past its lower lip, similar to what is seen in D. biocellotus. To the casual viewer this fish appears to be a fusion of a Fu Man Chu lionfish head with body of a Dwarf Zebra lion in shape and coloration. The adults of this species have beautiful blue broken bands on the inner surface (axillary side) of their pectoral fins. When resting the pec fins are kept close to the body, however upon excitement the fins are rapidly extended displaying a black surface with flashing neon blue stripes. When startled the Bluefin lion puts on an amazing display. First it rears up from its pit, and extended its dorsal spines towards the attackers, Next, it proceed to flick its pectoral fins, and rotates its body 360 degrees. This display not only confuses the would-be predator, but also affords the fish the ability to “defend in place”. Should the threat continue only then would the lionfish leave its pit. In the wild this fish is considered uncommon to find.
Commentary: This is a new introduction in the marine hobby, and therefore we have very limited hands on husbandry information. The primary reason why it hadn’t been collected for trade is its requirement for temperature water. However in 2005, a few shipments of Bluefin lions collected from the Philippines were brought into the USA, and from these limited fish a number of hobbyists provided anecdotal reports that we use to gather some basic husbandry tips.
Essentially, the husbandry for this fish is the same as for mid-bodied Pteroinae lionfish with the 2 major additions of including sandy substrate, and temperate water. In the home aquarium the bluefin lionfish will find an appropriate site and begun to excavate a shallow depression, once the pit is created the lionfish will “hunker” down in this pit. Initially Bluefin lions will require live foods, such as ghost shrimp and feeder fish, and a number of hobbyists report being unable to wean these fish onto prepared marine foods. In regards to feeding the lionfish, the Bluefins would capture the usual fare, but interestingly would not venture too far away from its pit, swimming out a short distance to capture the food items and hastily returning. If the bluefin lion was harassed with the handle of a fish net, the Bluefin would rear upwards, point its dorsal spines towards the net handle and proceed to circle as described above.
A Major concern with this fish. To date there have been no hobbyist reports of successfully keeping of these fish long-term. While most hobbyists had little problem getting these fish to eat live ghost shrimp, and weaned onto prepared foods. Of the hobbyists that did have success getting them to eat prepared foods, no reports suggest they were able to keep the fish longer than 1yr. Most perished within 3 month of purchase. It is unclear what the reasons why this fish is proving to be so difficult to keep. Since its initial description, Bluefin lions have been considered temperate water fish; the collection of Bluefin lions from the Philippines suggested that a warm water tolerant (tropical) population was being collected. While dives reports indicate Bluefin lionfish are present in the Phillipines , the reports also mention that the fish are located in the areas of coldest water. In Bali’s secret bay, the Bluefin lionfish are located near the cold water upwellings; the same is being reported for Kapalai-Mabul. Whatever the case maybe, these fish seem to do poorly in the home aquarium. While spectacular and rare they are not recommended for the beginner hobbyist.
S
saxman
Guest
Pretty much what Frank sez...definitely a toughie to keep, and unless you go into it with the idea that the fish won't make it long, it's a fish best left to others (at least for now).
Our bluefin setup runs at 63*F, and we had to treat the fish twice with oral antibiotics to stave off bacterial infections which seem to crop up overnight. Administering the meds can be tuff as the fish want to stop eating when they get sick, and if they take the bacterial hit in their mouth, it's "good night Irene" (we had two, and one ended up that way).
Also, you probably won't find one available until next spring, as that's when they seem to be collected (try to get a fish from Cebu).
I do hope that keeping this fish can be "cracked" tho, as IMHO, they're the perfect lion...they have qualities of Dendrochirus as well as Pterois all in a small package, and are absolutely gorgeous.
Our bluefin setup runs at 63*F, and we had to treat the fish twice with oral antibiotics to stave off bacterial infections which seem to crop up overnight. Administering the meds can be tuff as the fish want to stop eating when they get sick, and if they take the bacterial hit in their mouth, it's "good night Irene" (we had two, and one ended up that way).
Also, you probably won't find one available until next spring, as that's when they seem to be collected (try to get a fish from Cebu).
I do hope that keeping this fish can be "cracked" tho, as IMHO, they're the perfect lion...they have qualities of Dendrochirus as well as Pterois all in a small package, and are absolutely gorgeous.