Lion question

[leftyblite]

Well my puffer died a couple of days ago and I still haven't figured out why and probably never will. I was thinking about getting another fish, but i have a question first. My wife and daughters want a lion and they are my second favorite fish behind the puffer. I currently have a foxface, blue tang, and a bicolor angel in a 150G tank. I was thing about a dwarf lion. Would it be OK with these tankmates?

I'm concerned about the angel picking on the lion. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[thoroughbred]

I think you could do it. Anything can happen but I think the lion would be fine. You can always take him back if things go sour

 

[shogun323]

A fuzzy Dwarf would be a great addition for ya!! They are great and will be fine with the others. They have great personality and when they get hungry they will follow you around your tank like a puppy.

 

[grabbitt]

I don't think you would have any problems...

 

[dc_wolf]

Are you planning on getting another puffer? If so, I would get the lion prior to the puffer - regardless of type.

 

[hammerhed7]

I think you would be ok, its the larger more aggressive angels that are known to pick on lions, if you angel is not a fin nipper now chances are he wont pay much attention to the lion after a while, just keep a close eye.

 

[leftyblite]

How big do dwarf lions get? The LFS told me that they only grew to about 3-4 inches but, my research has found they get to approx 7 inches. The LFS had one today but it was barely more than an inch and would have been alot smaller than the angel. I wasn't sure so I didn't get him until I had done more research.

 

[grabbitt]

The LFS will tell you many things (as I have found) to make a sale... It's amazing how the fish you just have to have manages to tailor its characteristics and physical features to your needs when you're talking to one of those guys

I am pretty sure dwarves can grow to about 7-8 inches.
How long that takes, how often it happens, and whether or not that is a definite limit, however, i cannot tell you...

 

[grabbitt]

Well done -by the way- on holding out for more information... I know how hard it is to turn down that fish you've got your eye on all too well.

 

[leftyblite]

I've researched some more on this site and others and most all say 6-8 inches. If I go back in the next couple of days, I'm going to want to see him fed first. Also that being that he would be smaller than the angel, I not sure. Would it be better to wait and get one that is approx the same size?

 

[v-lioness]

its the larger more aggressive angels that are known to pick on lions, if you angel is not a fin nipper now chances are he wont pay much attention to the lion after a while, just keep a close eye.
Agree
How big do dwarf lions get?
If it is a fuzzy dwarf than yes, 6 - 7 inches, and this is not overnight, IME, the fuzzy dwarfs will grow pretty quick at first but when they hit around 4 inches they slow down, way down.
If the dwarf is once inch or so, and it is not weaned over to frozen, and you want it, keep it in a smaller tank for now, it may be very tough to get a young lion eating in your 150g tank. If you have to add ghost shrimp, chance are the lion will not be able to compete with the other fish, unless the shrimps are added at night when the lights are out.
Kaye

 

[leftyblite]

V-Lioness, besides ghost shrimp what else would be good for a lion that small? If I get it I want to make sure I know what I'm doing to keep it healthy and happy. It will be in my 20G QT tank for awhile and longer if necessary to help with what you described above. Thanks for the advice.

 

[v-lioness]

For a lion this small it can be tough, they need food, I would feed every day to every other day right now, use the ghost shrimp (Feed the ghost shrimp something nutritional before feeding them to your lion), try weaning over to frozen a.s.a.p. If this lion is stubborn, you may have to keep small damsels in the tank, a lion this small can starve to the point of no return, I encourage feeding when young.
When weaning, pick up a feeding prong, try mysis, brine, krill, frozen sand eels, raw shrimp, scallops and/or squid. Frozen sand eels are great because they are slim and normally much smaller than silverside, soak all food in vitamins.
As the lion matures you will have to adjust the feeding schedule and feed every 2 - 3 days, I normally do this around 2 - 2 1/2 inches.
Kaye

 

[leftyblite]

Thanks V-Lioness, I'm not sure that I have the expertise to care for such a small creature at this time as I've only been doing saltwater for about 1.5 years and very little experience with such a small fish(Raised my 2in porc puffer). I'm not sure I want to bring it home and then unintentionally kill due to lack of experience. Though I'm afraid that it might get sold to someone who has no experience and just likes it because its cute and its a lionfish as I've seen before. I have an LFS that is about a 45 minute drive from me that I haven't been to in awhile that I might go check out tomorrow(time & traffic permitting) and see what they say and have. Thanks again!!!

 

[v-lioness]

Good Luck, you will do fine with the lion.....
Kaye

 

[leftyblite]

Found a fuzzy dwarf lion about 3 inches long today at the LFS I mentioned above. They fed him while I watched and he ate with no problem. The only thing I'm concerned about is that they were feeding him freshwater guppies and I know this is not good for him. My new question is, how do I get him off the the freshwater and onto something better such as shrimp, clams,silversides, etc?

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by V-Lioness
Good Luck, you will do fine with the lion.....
Kaye
I agree completely; some hand (stick) feeding of the lion may be required for a while. I wouldn't put another puffer in, they're great fish; but the slow moving lion's fins may be a target for the puffer. However, I did keep a porcupine puffer and a volitan lion together for years.( What other hobby lets you say "yes' and"no" in the same breath; and probably be right!)

 

[leftyblite]

I wasn't planning on putting another puffer in for now. My 5 yr old still cries when she walks by the tank. She helped me buy the lion today and is trying out different names for it.

What would be a good idea to stick feed to get it over the freshwater guppies?

 

[srfisher17]

I've on this forum long enough to recognize V-Lioness as the lionfish authority; but here is what I'd do. Lions like big chunks of food, but I would start with pieces of raw shrimp, squid, scallops, clam, crab, sw fish, etc. I often soak them in selcon or some garlic and make it look alive, right in front of them. You can buy feeding sticks; but a better one can be made with a piece of rigid airline tubing that has been tapered a bit. If he doesn't start this eating this food right away; get away from the guppies and use ghost shrimp from your lfs. Wait him out if you need to; lions can go a long time without eating and avoid the temptation to feed live guppies , or other FW foods. Its fun to watch them hunt, and an occasional treat is ok; but the vast majority of their diet must be saltwater meaty items if they are to thrive.

 

[dc_wolf]

Originally Posted by V-Lioness
For a lion this small it can be tough, they need food, I would feed every day to every other day right now, use the ghost shrimp (Feed the ghost shrimp something nutritional before feeding them to your lion), try weaning over to frozen a.s.a.p. If this lion is stubborn, you may have to keep small damsels in the tank, a lion this small can starve to the point of no return, I encourage feeding when young.
When weaning, pick up a feeding prong, try mysis, brine, krill, frozen sand eels, raw shrimp, scallops and/or squid. Frozen sand eels are great because they are slim and normally much smaller than silverside, soak all food in vitamins.
As the lion matures you will have to adjust the feeding schedule and feed every 2 - 3 days, I normally do this around 2 - 2 1/2 inches.
Kaye
Please note that V-Lioness already answered your question. It's also been my experience that ghost shrimp (feed them something good - like vitamin enriched brine- prior to feeding them to your lion) will work for any lion to start the weaning process. I also agree that sand eels are the easiest next choice of frozen foods to feed him. Please keep in mind that this can be a slow process based on the other tank mates you have.
Another side note - try feeding everyone else first - that way they aren't competing with the lion for food.
Hope this helps - good luck