Dwarf Lionfish

[supercichlid]

Hey guys
After keeping freshwater fish for many years, i decided to setup a small saltwater tank.
The tank is 30g.
I would like to keep a Dwarf Lionfish in this tank. Can anyone tell me of any tankmates i could keep with the Dwarf Lionfish?
Also, what frozen fish have the best nutritional value? I have been told that some Lionfish only eat live foods, but the ones at my lfs take frozen, so thats good news...
Thanks for your time and any replies.
James

 

[almarktool]

dwarf lion tank mates have to be atleast the same size or slightly bigger other wise the lion fish will make a meal out of the smaller fish, if it is taken frozen food then u are in good shape mine eats flakes, frozen brine, etc
make sure you get a good book and read as much as you can on sw tanks

 

[supercichlid]

Hi.
Yeah, ive been reading lots on the internet about saltwater..i didnt know the salt was gunna be so pricey!
Anyhow, Yeah, i figured that it must be almost the same legnth as the Lionfish. Can you give me any reccomendations as to what fish would be good with them?
Also, would a larger crab be ok?
Thanks,
James

 

[eric the red]

You keep a Lion with just about any fish that will not fit in his mouth. I have my Dwarf Lion with a maroon clownfish. And he has also lived peacefully with many Damsels. Since your tank is a 30 gal you will want to get some thing that will not out grow your tank to fast. Clarkii or Sebae clowns would be O.K. as long as you got them medium size(around 2-3 inches)and will be far more energetic to off set the laziness of the lion. Hermit crabs are good tank mates since the Dwarf does not have a strong enough bite to get through most shell. I suggest feeding Krill or Silversides.

 

[supercichlid]

Thanks for your reply.
I originally was going to get a Velvet Damselfish, how would one of those go with the Dwarf Lion? I know that velvet damsels can be aggressive, and i dont want it to try to pick on the lion, then the lion turn around and englulf it..
My ideal setup would be:
3 larger hermit crabs
1 dwarf lionfish
1/2 damsel fish?
Is that possible?
Thanks,
James

 

[drew_tt]

well, "supercichlid"
velvets are very different, IME... Ive seen peaceful and VERY aggressive ones...
if I were you I would set up the tank, get it ready (use the shrimp method... trust me, dan would reccommmend it), wait a while, put in the dwarf, then a few weeks later the velvet. try and get one the same size...
I suppose you could try a third fish (damsel like you wanted ), but I wouldnt IMO... get the usual hermits & snails & inverts and it sounds like a nice tank to me =)
or instead of damsels, a large clown would go nice as well... or some sort of larger type of goby perhaps... ahhh soo many choices... good luck
Drew

 

[supercichlid]

Drew,
I am currently cycling the tank with a dead shrimp...
Thanks for your imput.
Any more ideas people?
Cheers.

 

[supercichlid]

*bumb*

 

[drew_tt]

"supercichlid,"
just make sure you dont feed your dwarf with you "tongue"
lol... how's the cycle coming along?
Drew

 

[supercichlid]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.
I will now look up the Flame Hawk..
Also, what about a Dragon Wrasse?
Drew, i meant "tong" not "tongue" and you know it!
Thanks,
James

 

[supercichlid]

Been looking at the Flame Hawk..very nice!
Do they eat frozen food? Because anything that needs live food all the time is out as in the UK we dont have "feeder fish" unfortunatly...
Thanks,
James

 

[supercichlid]

Also, are there any puffers i could keep in this tank?
Thanks,
James

 

[supercichlid]

Anyone?

 

[jumpfrog]

I keep a valentini puffer with my volitan lion. The puffer does just fine. I've read though that some puffer's will nip the flowing fins of lions. Like everything, it depends on the personality of "that" fish. Never a one size fits all.
Good Luck!

 

[supercichlid]

Hiya.
Thanks, someone else suggested that same puffer with my lion.
Looks like i will get the lion first, then the puffer...
Thanks again,
James