Lionfish and clowns

[jpwohlscheid]

I just got my first saltwater aquarium and when I get the water all set (Im using the same water that was in the tank before, all levels are good and the old owner said to do it) I want to do live rock, not much coral really and some anemone with clowns but also a Russels Lionfish. I would start with a juvenile. Would this lion fish try to go after the clowns when it gets bigger even when it has been tank mates for awhile? And I would also like to do a snowflake eel, am I trying too much or could this happen with the eel being so small at the start with the lionfish and anemones and clowns? Its a 72 gallon bowfront by the way.

 

[saxman]

The lionfish will likely eat the clownfish. I know of a couple of instances where full-grown female maroons (6.5") have been swallowed by adult volitans lions after being long time tankmates.
You'd do better keeping a small-mouthed mid-bodied lionfish (P. radiata or P. mombassae) or dwarf (I recommend a fuzzy, Dendrochirus brachypterus). If you go with the fuzzy, you could keep a M-F pair or a M-F-F trio which would make a nice display.
If you keep lions and clowns, I'd establish the lionfish first, as clowns can be pretty territorial.
As for the SFE, it will likely become aggressive once it hits about 18" - 20" or so, and could be problematic with its tankmates. Also, if the eel is small enuff, the lionfish will eat it, as eels are easily swallowed by virtue of their shape. A SFE will also limit your CUC choices much more than a lionfish will.
HTH

 

[jpwohlscheid]

Thank you so much, I was looking at some of the smaller species of Lionfish and am fine with those. As for the eel, I am fine with out it. It may still be a while before I get fish for the aquarium but your input helps me out big time.

 

[brun67]

sorry to hijack but im pretty much in the same issue right now. i have a 75 gal that i am setting up and am wondering if a dwarf lion would be able to be in a tank with a 4" ocellaris clown and 2 engineer gobies that are a good 6" each. thanks....

 

[saxman]

Your clownfish may or may not have an issue with a newcomer. I do recommend a fuzzy dwarf as the lionfish tho.
Sorry for the late reply, I've been on b'ness travel.

 

[brun67]

dont worry about it.
i was more concerned of the lion eating the clown, than the clown attacking the lion. my clown is extremely laid back and has no set territory, he goes where he wants pretty much, and no other fish has a problem with him and he will leave them alone as well.
i plan on getting either a fuzzy dwarf or a dwarf zebra. would they be okay together?

 

[saxman]

I'd recommend a fuzzy over a zebra if you are picking one lionfish. IME, D. zebra is a lot more touchy than "D. fuzzy". You could keep one or two other dwarf species in the tank, or go with a M-F pair or M-F-F harem of fuzzies.