lionfish/puffer

[sangria]

Hello Aggressive lovers.
I am cycling my 155 gallon bowfront, and I have decided to make it a semi-aggressive tank. (I say semi-aggressive because I don't want them killing each other.)
Anyway, my absolute 2 favorite fish are the Fu Man Chu lion and the dalmation dogface puffer. From what I understand, they can't be mixed because puffers pick on the slow lion. Is there a puffer that would leave a lion alone, or am I going to have to choose between the two?
Also, I am definitely going to get a trigger, but they also pick on lions. I understand the bluethroat is a more peaceful trigger, but would I still be taking a risk with one?
I thought reef-keeping was difficult.

 

[rcreations]

Well, first of all the FuManChu Lion has a very high mortality rate in captivity. It's one of the hardest lions to get to eat frozen foods and keep alive for a long time. You might consider one of the easier lions like the Fuzzy Dwarf.
As for puffers, I have heard success stories with the Valentini Puffer. They don't seem to nip at lions as much.
The trigger I wouldn't keep with a lionfish. No matter what trigger you buy, it will be agressive. The bluethroat may not be as agressive as other triggers, but I still wouldn't trust it with a lion.

 

[stdreb27]

I think in general that is a no go, but I had good success with my dogface not bothing much of anything that it should have bothered.

 

[indigobluetc]

I have a stars and stripes puff with a V lion and they are fine together..

 

[sangria]

Thanks for the responses. I have no idea how you can choose between your aggressive fish. It seems like any fish I like can't go with another fish that I like. But I guess that's why it's "aggressive."
So maybe I will have to forgo the lion and just keep a picture of one or something.
Without a lion, I could get a Huma Huma trigger. :-D

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by sangria
http:///forum/post/2713048
Thanks for the responses. I have no idea how you can choose between your aggressive fish. It seems like any fish I like can't go with another fish that I like. But I guess that's why it's "aggressive."
So maybe I will have to forgo the lion and just keep a picture of one or something.
Without a lion, I could get a Huma Huma trigger. :-D
Lions aren't aggressive like the other fish per say, they are a pretty mellow except like like to eat little fish. And use their spines for protection, puffers puff to some extent but they are curious and chew on stuff. Triggers are fighters.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by sangria
http:///forum/post/2713048
Thanks for the responses. I have no idea how you can choose between your aggressive fish. It seems like any fish I like can't go with another fish that I like. But I guess that's why it's "aggressive."
So maybe I will have to forgo the lion and just keep a picture of one or something.
Without a lion, I could get a Huma Huma trigger. :-D
You're doing a lot of research and , IMO, that's one of the real keys to SW success. There are just not a lot of "set in stone" rules in this hobby. so much depends on the individual fish You can always find someone who has successfully kept any possible combination of fish. I've kept several combinations that worked, but wouldn't recommend them to others; because now I know better. Several years ago I had a huge Volitan Lion with a Scribbled Arothron Puffer (one of the more civilized large puffers). They were fine for 5+ years; then I came home to find the puffer nipping every fin off the lion. Lions with puffers or triggers seems like a natural combination and sometimes it works. But, IMO & IME; sooner or later the puffer or lion will begin the assault with an attack on the fins of the lion and from there, he's doomed. Lions simple are not "agressive" fish in the trigger sense, in fact, they're quite defenseless with fish they can't swallow.

 

[subee950]

I had a fuzzy dwarf and I spiny box puffer together before they where fine together. I am not sure about all spiny box puffers but mine is very laid back I even have some snails and hermits in the tank with him and he don’t bother them at all.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by subee950
http:///forum/post/2713834
I had a fuzzy dwarf and I spiny box puffer together before they where fine together. I am not sure about all spiny box puffers but mine is very laid back I even have some snails and hermits in the tank with him and he don’t bother them at all.
I've got a big spiny box, wonderful fish. Mine eats hermits like candy; but so much depends on the individual fish. Here's what one of the biggest online retailers says about them:
"A 70 gallon or larger aquarium is suitable, provided it is a fish-only tank with plenty of room for swimming. It is known to nip at slow-moving fish and long-finned fish, but is not aggressive with others in its own family. It will eat invertebrates found in a reef tank."

 

[sangria]

I know there are always success stories. While it will be tempting, I don't think I would risk the lion's life. It seems like even the success stories ultimately don't end well. They often end like "For 5 years everything was great, then my clown trigger killed every other fish in the tank." I coudn't knowingly risk an animal's life.
I really like how the spiny box puffer looks. I would have to try out one of those softball sized hermit crabs as a cleaner.

 

[srfisher17]

IMO, the value of crabs as cleaners is way over-rated. I'll take a beating for this opinion; but its mine and I'm sticking to it. BTW, I'll bet the spiny box will find a way to get at any hermit; they're very clever. (For a fish.) Of all the fish I have, I think my spiny box gets more attention from visitors than any of the flashier, pricier ones. They are great fish!

 

[subee950]

Yeah I know its very odd I told the guy at my lfs about my SBP not eating my hermits and snails he could not believe it either but its true I got me a good one

. I see you said something about getting one of those huge hermits have you thought of maybe getting an urchin??? I bought 3 2 spiny and 1 pencil before I temped my hermit crabs fate but all are fine in my 120.

 

[prime311]

You don't really need a CUC with a FOWLR anyway. I have a Chocolate Chip Star, Peppermint Shrimp, and Hermit Crabs in my tank but they're more for show and they very well might get eaten eventually.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by prime311
http:///forum/post/2715281
You don't really need a CUC with a FOWLR anyway. I have a Chocolate Chip Star, Peppermint Shrimp, and Hermit Crabs in my tank but they're more for show and they very well might get eaten eventually.
Yeah; outside of moderate nitrates hurting fish, I think the value of a "CUC" (in FOWLR tanks) is the biggest misconception on this forum. Great marketing gimmick, though.