HELP!!!! fight between tang, angel and lionfish

[imclownfish]

I have had a lionfish in my tank for about a week now, today we added a Kole Tang and a Flame Angel. As soon as we put these two fish in the tank, the lion has been attacking the tang and the angel and vice versa. The tang and angel have tiny holes in their flesh as if they have been poked. How could the lionfish attack the two fish like that? Please help.

 

[olemiss]

What size are they? Lion probably sees dinner. IME, the fish will either be dead or having some serious swimming/breathing problems depending on the severity of the sting/size of said fish.

 

[rcreations]

I never heard of a lion attack other fish. Usually they either want to eat a smaller fish or they leave them alone. Which makes me believe your lion is not really attacking the new additions, but trying to eat them.

 

[imclownfish]

the lionfish is about 3in, he still cannot eat a whole silverside to give you an idea of how big he can open his mouth. The Kole tang is about 4 in and the angel is about 2in. The "stings" are small, and i dot think they are very deep.

 

[fmarini]

lionfish are passive fish in that they dont provoke fights. i suspect what is happening is the flame angel is picking at the lionfishs fin, and the tang is joining in on the fun. I've had a few flame angels that i had to remove because they wouldn't leave the flowy fins of my lionfish alone.
If you do see poke holes- its a retaliation from the lion and if it continues you'll end up w 2 or more dead fish- from either envenomation or most likely stress-related ich.
I would get rid of whomever you like least-

 

[srfisher17]

What species of lionfish? Lions grow faster than any fish I've ever kept and I assume he'll be having an expensive lunch soon; or as FMarini said, the lion will be stressed to the breaking point. Often, with a new fish, this is just pecking order stuff--but you can't keep any lion with a 2" Flame for long. Its amazing how big a lion's meals can be.

 

[skate020]

4" lion will take a 2" flame if he really wants to,
if they got stung, there'll most likely be dead within 30mins.
might not tho, you sure they havent darted away from it and knocked themselfs on some LR?
the lion wont attack another fish with his spines unless the other fish deserves it

 

[imclownfish]

well the "cut" on the flame nagel has gotten bigger, the tang seems to be better, i havent seen them picking at the lions fins, ill kepep an eye out fo rthat. The angel is probably going back tomorrow

 

[skate020]

chances are, the shop you got them from had ick or something, so they dont yet have the white spots but still are rubbing against the rock, so there causing themselves to get the cuts.
if the lion spined them, they wouldnt be alive now.
have you checked the fins for white spot?

 

[vgl12]

How big is you tank? Im guessing over 50? But as many people said he probualy isnt bullying but instead looking to see if he can score a exensive meal.

 

[imclownfish]

no, I personally saw the lion "Attacking". The Flame Angel died. :C Lionfish went back to LFS, my favorite fish.

 

[fmarini]

sorry bout your fish.
AS I mentioned above once you saw this fight- you need to pull one or more out of your tank(i know easier said than done).
However what you didnt see, was the relentless attack from the flame angel on the lionfish. IME Flame angels just seem to pick at the lionfish fins, very harassing at times.
Lionfish are just not aggressive unless provoked, and their venom is purely a deterrent -its a last resort. So if you loose a fish from a lionfish attack-there is harassing going on.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by FMarini
http:///forum/post/3200840
sorry bout your fish.
AS I mentioned above once you saw this fight- you need to pull one or more out of your tank(i know easier said than done).
However what you didnt see, was the relentless attack from the flame angel on the lionfish. IME Flame angels just seem to pick at the lionfish fins, very harassing at times.
Lionfish are just not aggressive unless provoked, and their venom is purely a deterrent -its a last resort. So if you loose a fish from a lionfish attack-there is harassing going on.
Yeah, lions get a bad rap. If they can't swallow it whole, they ignore it. With the right tankmates, lions are one of the least aggressive fish we keep. Often the victim of aggression, though.