Lionfish compatibility

[shea1988]

Hello all! First let me start by saying that I had a 2" volitan lionfish. He started getting pinched sides from not eating anything, not even live ghost shrimp! So my LFS told. Me to return him and they had a better one that was eating frozen krill and silversides. So I went in to pick him up and he was about 4.5-5". He will be going into a 75 gallon FOWLR. Here is where the problem starts, in the tank I have 2 percula clowns (2.5-3"), 1 royal gramma (3"), 1 blue hippo tang (3-3.5"), 1 flame hawkfish (3-3.5"). As you can see, they were all bigger than than my other lion. The LFS will only let me exchange for another lion (5 day exchange limit or I'm out $50!), unfortunately that's the smallest one (and only one eating any kind of prepared foods and "wags" like a dog when you approach his tank). Will any of my fish be safe with him? Would feeding him every day help until I get my 20 gallon purchased and cycled (approx. 1 month) any help is much appreciated.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by Shea1988
http:///forum/post/2669663
Hello all! First let me start by saying that I had a 2" volitan lionfish. He started getting pinched sides from not eating anything, not even live ghost shrimp! So my LFS told. Me to return him and they had a better one that was eating frozen krill and silversides. So I went in to pick him up and he was about 4.5-5". He will be going into a 75 gallon FOWLR. Here is where the problem starts, in the tank I have 2 percula clowns (2.5-3"), 1 royal gramma (3"), 1 blue hippo tang (3-3.5"), 1 flame hawkfish (3-3.5"). As you can see, they were all bigger than than my other lion. The LFS will only let me exchange for another lion (5 day exchange limit or I'm out $50!), unfortunately that's the smallest one (and only one eating any kind of prepared foods and "wags" like a dog when you approach his tank). Will any of my fish be safe with him? Would feeding him every day help until I get my 20 gallon purchased and cycled (approx. 1 month) any help is much appreciated.
I can't think of any fish that grows faster than a healthy volitan. They can also eat a much bigger fish than many folks think. Long term, I think the hippo is the only fish that will avoid being lunch. Sort term; I think he'll eat the clowns and RG within weeks, if not days.

 

[hammerhed7]

even the smaller lion would outgrow and eat all your fish within a matter of a couple of months. With your current stocklist you are inviting disaster by adding a volitan to your tank.

 

[rcreations]

Yea, even if you get a fuzzy dwarf, sooner or later it'll still eat your clown fish. The volitan just doesn't go with your other fish very well.

 

[shea1988]

I'm not talking long term here just a few weeks so I can add them slowly to my 30 gallon. What could he eat right now? I'm just kinda nervous about my tang and flame hawk right now the others came with the tank and I'm more attached to these two. The lion pays them no mind but hates the gramma because he is nipping at the lion. Wouldn't blame the lion if he turned him into a royal snack...