Dwarf lionfish

playtime

playtime

Member
HI all....Well, my 32gal has been without fish since an ich outbreak about 3 1/2 weeks ago. Last night, I cleaned out the tank, and removed all inverts and redecorated (moved the rock around) I have been thinking about what type of fish I want to add and came to a decision about a dwarf lionfish. I have done some reading but would like to get some more information about lionfish in general from people who own them or the sharks on the board. What are some safety tips to avoid getting accidently venomated while cleaning etc...
I haven't purchased one yet but I am quite smitten with the dwarf due to its size (4in) but would consider another small species of lionfish.
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pufferlover

pufferlover

Active Member
I tend to like the looks of the FuManchu. Had one for a while but it did not make it but they are very pretty Lions who stay small.
 
playtime

playtime

Member
just in case I forgot, he/she would most likely be the ONLY fish in the tank.
32gal plex w/rounded corners
2 75powerheads
empiror 280 filter
50lbs liverock
2 1/2 in. crush coral sub.
60wts powerGlo lights
 
lionfish

lionfish

Member
LionFish says......
Well, actually Dwarf Lionfish are small but that is only compared to other lionfish. You see, Dwarf Lionfish reach, on average, 7 to 8 inches. A lot of people expect to be able to put one in a small tank but it is not good. The lowest amount of tank I would put it in would be a 55 gallon tank. With 50 pounds of rock in a 32 gallon it makes it nearly impossible to get any lionfish in that small of a tank. I would strongly urge you to avoid getting any lionfish in that small of a tank no matter if it is the only fish. Sorry but it is the truth that it won't work. With a tank that small it makes it too hard to get any aggressive fish.
 
playtime

playtime

Member
Many people keep telling me that a 32 gal is a small tank and by some standards it is. However, I would like to give you the spects then tell me what you think.
31 in long

[hr]
19 1/2 in tall
13 1/2 wide
I am sure that when comparing it to a 75, 100, and 150 gal it is small but not that small. All my reading and I have done quite a bit, say's that they get to be about 4 inches. Now, I am sure they can probably get bigger but, how long does that take and, would a 32gal be ok until I can get a bigger tank? Does their growth depend on feeding? I usually feed every third day.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to do anything that would make them unhappy or unhealthy so if putting them in a tank that size even when they are juv. would put them in danger, then that isn't what i want. The size of the tank is one of the reasons for wanting a dwarf lionfish. Their spines don't get as long as the voilatin or the zebra, right?
Teach me.....
Playtime
 
lionfish

lionfish

Member
LionFish says......
Its time to take Lionfish class 101. Today we will be disussing the aspects of Dwarf Lions. You see, books are not everything and aren't always right. I have been keeping lionfish for 7 years now and have had 4 Dwarf Lions and I can guaruntee you that they reach a length, on average of 7 to 8 inches. Now, a 32 gallon tank perplexes me. How long do you plan on keeping the lion in the 32 gallon tank? What do you plan on doing with all the rock? That is way too much rock for a lion to live with in a 32 gallon tank. You're going to need better filtration, too. My best advise to you is to invest your money in a larger tank to keep the lion happy. I was made a shark because I give the best advice on this topic and trust me, I would not steer you wrong. It would be wise to wait until you could get a 75 gallon or larger tank and invest money into it instead of putting a lot of money into the small tank which won't be good for the lion. Next. No Dwarf Lions fins do not reach the same length as Volitans or Radiattas but that doesn't mean that the sting is going to be any less painful. They pack a powerful punch. Nothing to really worry about, though, because they dont actually come after your hand. You would have to bump your hand on the lion to get stung. Nothing to worry about. Feed the lion every 2 days with a varied diet to keep it healthy. Feed small, meaty foods such as: shrimp, chopped squid, mussel meat, krill, and silversides. Anymore questions?
 
playtime

playtime

Member
Wow, that was quick. I believe you when you say that they can get 7-8 inches. Never doubted your knowledge. This is exactly the reason I wanted to ask questions of the board. I know that books aren't always right but, where else can a person find out more about a fish species? I tried the net and got the same answers (4-6 inches). Don't really know how long I would keep him in the 32 gal. I will start buying the pieces slowly ie.... tank.....stand.....filtration.......lighting.....etc....
how rapidly do they grow? How much time would I have? should it be a fish only tank meaning, no LR?
Wasn't mentioning the the spine size because of the amount of pain the sting would inflict but simply discussing size. I liked the idea that they were small.
Why does the size of the tank perplex you?
Just asking...
playtime
glad you know your lionfish because I have lots of questions. LOL!!!!!! :D
 
lionfish

lionfish

Member
LionFish says......
Playtime-- Well, you see, you don't need to get rid of all your live rock, but I would recommend you get rid of some of it. At least 15 to 20 pounds. Give it lots of room to lay in the sand. They grow rather slowly. Mine is about 6 inches and I bought him at 3 inches 3 years ago. But he has plenty of room to grow. He is in my 70 gallon tank. I would say you should have a larger tank in a year and a half to 2 years. Just to be on the safe side.
Justchillin-- Yeah its Dwarf Zebra Lionfish alright. Looks just like the picture. I had one awhile ago. Good hardy species of fish and it lives a good while too.
 
skirk

skirk

Member
I would personally get a dwarf lionfish (a.k.a. zebra lionfish) b4 a fu-man chu. But the fu-man chu would definitely fit in your tank. No questions asked. They get to be about 4". Also, I have a dwarf lionfish (once again a.k.a. zebra lionfish) and I doubt mine's is going to get that big. 6-8" that is. The book I have says 6-7" but I haven't seen one that big. In answering your question, it must take a while for it to grow that large. Definitely over a year. HTH and good luck.
P.S. If one zebra or dwarf lionfish is ALL YOU PUT IN THE TANK then I can't say it wouldn't work. I'd like to try aned convince you to go larger (55gal) but can't say it would be needed or better filtration would be needed. Why you ask? Cuz one fish (a very neet eater at that) is not much of a mess maker for 32 gal as long as you kept it set up nice and took care of it. Don't get too much lr in there, perhaps take some out as he grows, and keep the tank relatively clean and you should be fine.........I hate to say all that, but it just seems honest to me. If that is, and only if, you keep it alone in the tank. Then I think it would and could work. Don't go big though and take care of it. Of course I would recommend a 55gal though just cuz it's the better choice. For obvious reasons, bigger is better.
 
pootietang#1

pootietang#1

New Member
I totaly agree with Lionfish, but when the lion is a juvi, and VERY small, I don't see why not, but when you start seeing a growth spurt, get him out of there and into a bigger tank!
 
playtime

playtime

Member
Thanks everyone for your input and advise. I will order a juvi from my lfs. I will remove some lr too during my next clean up. Thanks again.
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