Lionfish?

[fishinphilly]

I am going to purchase a lionfish for my 75g FOWLR in the next few weeks. I am trying to decide whether to get a Radiata or a Volitan lion.
Are there any decideing factors netween the two? is one much harder to keep than the other? I ask because I have not noticed many people, if any on the forum discussing the Radiata lion.

 

[ccg24]

I couldn't say but personal oppinion and what you already have in your tank but I Like the viol. or dwarf the best...

 

[surfinusa]

a volitan lionfish will need like a 180 gallon fish tank they get about 15 inches but a radiata will live in a 75 gallon comfortably its whole life they only get around 8 inches

 

[psusocr1]

no volitan in a 75

 

[volitan_fa]

I personally like the radiata better. I think the reason that they're not as popular as the volitan is because radiatas are more expensive. For what my opinion's worth, get a radiata .
And it's true, I've seen some of those 15" volitans for sale at a LFS ($180). It gave me a weird scared/excited feeling

 

[chutneyjh]

How long does it typically take a volitan to reach full size? I was thinking of putting one in a 150, but maybe it's not such a good idea.

 

[surfinusa]

Originally Posted by chutneyjh
How long does it typically take a volitan to reach full size? I was thinking of putting one in a 150, but maybe it's not such a good idea.
they can be at their adult size in about a yaer and a half to 2 years they grow very very quickly :scared:

 

[volitan_fa]

Yeah, it doesn't take them too long to grow. Unless you've already got the 150....a 180 wouldn't be all that much more if you really wanted a volitan.

 

[chutneyjh]

Well I'm picking up a 125 tomorrow and I doubt I'll upgrade past that (at least until I finish my Master's and can really go all out) so I want to stock it with fish that I can keep for life in it.

 

[volitan_fa]

A 125 would make a great home for a Radiata, or you could even get a fu man chu or fuzzy dwarf if you wanted some diversity. Keeping big lions in your tank kinda limits what else you can have, cuz they'll often eat the smaller guys.

 

[nonphotosynt]

Volitan is too big, radiata will be better by size and color.