melyssa126
New Member
im thinking about getting a lion fish. but im a little scared of them be venomous. is there an precautions i cant take to make sure i do get stung...or whatever it is that they do? are they easy to keep?
thinking about a lionfish....
- Thread starter melyssa126
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crimzy
Active Member
I wouldn't worry about getting stung. They are really not aggressive towards people. The most challenging thing about lions is getting them to eat frozen foods but they will all take it sooner or later. If your hand is in the water and the lion approaches, it's not difficult to avoid the spines. They are otherwise very hardy and resistant to diseases. Also, they rarely hide and are great fish.
seamantimmy
New Member
Lions can be tricky. If you're paying attention, you shouldn't get sting, but there's always that one split second where you looked away, and TAG!
If you do get a lion and if you accidentally get stung, just remember this first aid tip:
1) A lionfish's sting burns like Hell. Like a beesting, you may be allergic. If you feel the heat travelling rapidly up your arm, you are probably experiencing an allergic reaction and are risking anaphyllactic shock; DIAL 911
If you are normally allergic to neurovenom (bee stings, etc.), I'd recommend buying an eppenephrine emergency injector and keeping it near your tank, just in case. Give yourself and injection and dial 911 immediately.
2) If you are not allergic, your hand will feel like it's on fire. Your nomral, logical reaction would be to ice the wound. DO NOT DO THIS! Ice and cold water will only make the pain worse. The proper treatment for a lionfish sting is a hot water bath (not scalding, but the hotter, the better). It will take an hour or so for the pain to subside, but don't be a wuss; suck it up. After all, you wanted a venomous fish in the first place!
I'm speaking from experience. I hand feed my fishies (dumb, but fun), and I was looking away when my lion and panther grouper got into a tiff over a piece of krill. I was caught int he crossfire and ended up with two injections of neurovenom in my thumb. At least I confirmed that I'm not allergic!
I knew the risks, and to me, it was worth having what I consider to be one of the most beautiful fish in the hobby.
I hope this helps and didn't dissuade you. The risk really isn't that high as long as you pay attention and give your little buddy the respect he deserves.
If you do get a lion and if you accidentally get stung, just remember this first aid tip:
1) A lionfish's sting burns like Hell. Like a beesting, you may be allergic. If you feel the heat travelling rapidly up your arm, you are probably experiencing an allergic reaction and are risking anaphyllactic shock; DIAL 911
If you are normally allergic to neurovenom (bee stings, etc.), I'd recommend buying an eppenephrine emergency injector and keeping it near your tank, just in case. Give yourself and injection and dial 911 immediately.
2) If you are not allergic, your hand will feel like it's on fire. Your nomral, logical reaction would be to ice the wound. DO NOT DO THIS! Ice and cold water will only make the pain worse. The proper treatment for a lionfish sting is a hot water bath (not scalding, but the hotter, the better). It will take an hour or so for the pain to subside, but don't be a wuss; suck it up. After all, you wanted a venomous fish in the first place!
I'm speaking from experience. I hand feed my fishies (dumb, but fun), and I was looking away when my lion and panther grouper got into a tiff over a piece of krill. I was caught int he crossfire and ended up with two injections of neurovenom in my thumb. At least I confirmed that I'm not allergic!
I knew the risks, and to me, it was worth having what I consider to be one of the most beautiful fish in the hobby.
I hope this helps and didn't dissuade you. The risk really isn't that high as long as you pay attention and give your little buddy the respect he deserves.
srfisher17
Active Member
Originally Posted by melyssa126
im thinking about getting a lion fish. but im a little scared of them be venomous. is there an precautions i cant take to make sure i do get stung...or whatever it is that they do? are they easy to keep?
The only precaution is to be careful I've had at least one for 30 years; got nailed once, when I wasn't paying attention. They really aren't aggressive fish and get very used to you; so when I have a hand in the tank, I have a kid watch the lion. If you're really afraid of them, why get one--this is supposed to be a fun hobby? They really aren't that dangerous and , unless you're allergic, the sting just hurts and won't kill you. Its not like a stonefish or blue ringed octopus.
im thinking about getting a lion fish. but im a little scared of them be venomous. is there an precautions i cant take to make sure i do get stung...or whatever it is that they do? are they easy to keep?
The only precaution is to be careful I've had at least one for 30 years; got nailed once, when I wasn't paying attention. They really aren't aggressive fish and get very used to you; so when I have a hand in the tank, I have a kid watch the lion. If you're really afraid of them, why get one--this is supposed to be a fun hobby? They really aren't that dangerous and , unless you're allergic, the sting just hurts and won't kill you. Its not like a stonefish or blue ringed octopus.
melyssa126
New Member
im not necessarily afraid of the lion fish, was just a little nervous about the sting. i want it because its a beautiful fish, but from what im reading, its pretty hard to get stung.
leftyblite
Member
I've only had my lion a few weeks. When I have to put my hand into the tank, he usually hides. I just make sure I'm aware of where he is if I'm moving stuff. Also I've noticed that if Iam near him he keeps is spines down, I'm pretty sure he now recognizes me and is comfortable. Usually when someone comes to the front of the tank he comes out and either shows off or begs for attention and food. Good luck they are an awesome fish!!!
rancidferret
New Member
Does anyone know if there is a way to test to see if you are allergic to lionfish venom before getting one?
S
surfinusa
Guest
Originally Posted by RancidFerret
Does anyone know if there is a way to test to see if you are allergic to lionfish venom before getting one?
If allergic to bees or wasps then your probably allergic to lionfish.
Does anyone know if there is a way to test to see if you are allergic to lionfish venom before getting one?
If allergic to bees or wasps then your probably allergic to lionfish.
v-lioness
Member
As much as the initial sting feels like a bee sting, is not saying the venom is the same. I really have not been able to find anything saying the venom is the same or even similar. However, I will say, I am allergic to bee stings yet not lion stings.
It certainly would be great if anyone could show anything, Venom v.s Venom............
Kaye
It certainly would be great if anyone could show anything, Venom v.s Venom............
Kaye
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by nycbob
how often do we really put out hand inside the tank? if so, how long do we leave it in there? i wouldnt worry about it. i have a lionfish in my aggressive tank, i put my hands in there all the time. normally just to move a rock or two.
I agree. You just have to keep an eye on your lion when your hand is in there. They do not attack you, but may accidently hit you with a fin.
how often do we really put out hand inside the tank? if so, how long do we leave it in there? i wouldnt worry about it. i have a lionfish in my aggressive tank, i put my hands in there all the time. normally just to move a rock or two.
I agree. You just have to keep an eye on your lion when your hand is in there. They do not attack you, but may accidently hit you with a fin.
1journeyman
Active Member
First off, well done for researching and thinking about your purchases. You will do well in the hobby as long as you continue on that course.
Keep your hands out of the tank and you'll be fine.
One way I could see a hobbyist getting stung is while cleaning. Many of the Lions like to hunt at dawn and dusk, and hide in the rocks during the broghtest part of the day. If you go to grab a rock and pin your fish in your hand you're going to get stung.
Another way is while feeding. My little lion comes right up to the surface waiting for food. If you have your hand in the tank and are not paying attention then you could easily get poked. Lions are aggressive feeders. They get excited and don't really worry about anything but swallowing the next bite of food.
Keep your hands out of the tank and you'll be fine.
One way I could see a hobbyist getting stung is while cleaning. Many of the Lions like to hunt at dawn and dusk, and hide in the rocks during the broghtest part of the day. If you go to grab a rock and pin your fish in your hand you're going to get stung.
Another way is while feeding. My little lion comes right up to the surface waiting for food. If you have your hand in the tank and are not paying attention then you could easily get poked. Lions are aggressive feeders. They get excited and don't really worry about anything but swallowing the next bite of food.
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Another way is while feeding. My little lion comes right up to the surface waiting for food. If you have your hand in the tank and are not paying attention then you could easily get poked. Lions are aggressive feeders. They get excited and don't really worry about anything but swallowing the next bite of food.
LOL very true. My lion is still learning to accept what I feed him.
Another way is while feeding. My little lion comes right up to the surface waiting for food. If you have your hand in the tank and are not paying attention then you could easily get poked. Lions are aggressive feeders. They get excited and don't really worry about anything but swallowing the next bite of food.
LOL very true. My lion is still learning to accept what I feed him.
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by sepulatian
LOL very true. My lion is still learning to accept what I feed him.
I had the most bizarre thing happen... a few months ago I dip my feeding cup into the aquarium (like I always do) to let the frozen foods thaw. Well the fish have learned that cup equals food. Unknown to me one of the Chromis I had darted into the cup (I guess he wnated to get an early dinner). so anyway, 15 minutes later when I go to feed the tank, there is one very fat Chromis in my feeding cup! I didn't notice him until I dumped the cup into the tank. The poor little fish was so full he couldn't even swim. He had a large chunk of fish (homemade food) hanging out of his mouth. As he sank to the bottom my Lion promply tried to gulp him down! I grabbed the net and tongs and pinned the lion. He spit the Chromis (that was halfway in his mouth) back out. That's the only time he has tried to eat any of his tankmates. I suspect, however, that's because I have had him since he was tiny and have always been feeding him frozen foods.
LOL very true. My lion is still learning to accept what I feed him.
I had the most bizarre thing happen... a few months ago I dip my feeding cup into the aquarium (like I always do) to let the frozen foods thaw. Well the fish have learned that cup equals food. Unknown to me one of the Chromis I had darted into the cup (I guess he wnated to get an early dinner). so anyway, 15 minutes later when I go to feed the tank, there is one very fat Chromis in my feeding cup! I didn't notice him until I dumped the cup into the tank. The poor little fish was so full he couldn't even swim. He had a large chunk of fish (homemade food) hanging out of his mouth. As he sank to the bottom my Lion promply tried to gulp him down! I grabbed the net and tongs and pinned the lion. He spit the Chromis (that was halfway in his mouth) back out. That's the only time he has tried to eat any of his tankmates. I suspect, however, that's because I have had him since he was tiny and have always been feeding him frozen foods.
jenni620
Member
Originally Posted by 1journeyman
I had the most bizarre thing happen... a few months ago I dip my feeding cup into the aquarium (like I always do) to let the frozen foods thaw. Well the fish have learned that cup equals food. Unknown to me one of the Chromis I had darted into the cup (I guess he wnated to get an early dinner). so anyway, 15 minutes later when I go to feed the tank, there is one very fat Chromis in my feeding cup! I didn't notice him until I dumped the cup into the tank. The poor little fish was so full he couldn't even swim. He had a large chunk of fish (homemade food) hanging out of his mouth. As he sank to the bottom my Lion promply tried to gulp him down! I grabbed the net and tongs and pinned the lion. He spit the Chromis (that was halfway in his mouth) back out. That's the only time he has tried to eat any of his tankmates. I suspect, however, that's because I have had him since he was tiny and have always been feeding him frozen foods.
lol...that is so funny! silly chromis!
Anyway, as far as getting stung, I wouldn't really worry about it. My lion stays on the opposite end of the tank when I am working in there. He isn't very aggressive, except at feeding time, but I know to keep my hands out of there when there is food in the tank!
I had the most bizarre thing happen... a few months ago I dip my feeding cup into the aquarium (like I always do) to let the frozen foods thaw. Well the fish have learned that cup equals food. Unknown to me one of the Chromis I had darted into the cup (I guess he wnated to get an early dinner). so anyway, 15 minutes later when I go to feed the tank, there is one very fat Chromis in my feeding cup! I didn't notice him until I dumped the cup into the tank. The poor little fish was so full he couldn't even swim. He had a large chunk of fish (homemade food) hanging out of his mouth. As he sank to the bottom my Lion promply tried to gulp him down! I grabbed the net and tongs and pinned the lion. He spit the Chromis (that was halfway in his mouth) back out. That's the only time he has tried to eat any of his tankmates. I suspect, however, that's because I have had him since he was tiny and have always been feeding him frozen foods.
lol...that is so funny! silly chromis!
Anyway, as far as getting stung, I wouldn't really worry about it. My lion stays on the opposite end of the tank when I am working in there. He isn't very aggressive, except at feeding time, but I know to keep my hands out of there when there is food in the tank!
fmarini
Member
Kaye--
Lionfish venom is very different than bee or wasp venom. The pain is similar, only because your bodys reaction to either is similar.
Lionfish venom is a composed of mainly acetylcholine and a few dozen proteins, its role is too overwhelm the closest nerves, and immediately cause an intense reaction. Remember lionfish venom is purely a definsive weapon, it is not designed to stun, kill, digest, or mame like a snake, but lionfish and other scorpionfish use it to prevent other fish from grabbing, eating, harassing them. Hence the composition, cause immediate serve pain and too move away.
Scorpionfish venom varies w/ species but dosage is really what dictates how painful and potent it is. The spines that deliver the venom act like hyopodermic needles and adjust how much venom gets pumped into the wound. So a stonefish w/ short wide stubby spines deliver a very large dose, while a P volitans lionfish w/ thin little dorsal spines deliver smaller doses. Hence in humans, stonefish are considered lethals, while Volitans lions hurt like bee stings.
In fish, depending on its size, lionfish stings can be painful, resulting in cowering for a few days or lethal, its all dose dependent.
Finally the good news is that scorpionfish venoms are composed of primarily heat labile material and hence immersing the area in non scalding hot water for at least 30mins will reduce the pain, discomfort, and long term effects. However, it still hurts like crazy.
frank
Lionfish venom is very different than bee or wasp venom. The pain is similar, only because your bodys reaction to either is similar.
Lionfish venom is a composed of mainly acetylcholine and a few dozen proteins, its role is too overwhelm the closest nerves, and immediately cause an intense reaction. Remember lionfish venom is purely a definsive weapon, it is not designed to stun, kill, digest, or mame like a snake, but lionfish and other scorpionfish use it to prevent other fish from grabbing, eating, harassing them. Hence the composition, cause immediate serve pain and too move away.
Scorpionfish venom varies w/ species but dosage is really what dictates how painful and potent it is. The spines that deliver the venom act like hyopodermic needles and adjust how much venom gets pumped into the wound. So a stonefish w/ short wide stubby spines deliver a very large dose, while a P volitans lionfish w/ thin little dorsal spines deliver smaller doses. Hence in humans, stonefish are considered lethals, while Volitans lions hurt like bee stings.
In fish, depending on its size, lionfish stings can be painful, resulting in cowering for a few days or lethal, its all dose dependent.
Finally the good news is that scorpionfish venoms are composed of primarily heat labile material and hence immersing the area in non scalding hot water for at least 30mins will reduce the pain, discomfort, and long term effects. However, it still hurts like crazy.
frank
iluvswfish
Member
I wouldn't worry too much about getting stung. Just keep an eye on him if you do have to reach in the tank on occassion. I have a very curious little puffer that I'm kind of afraid to get bit by. I use the magnet scrubber and a long handled tool that has changeable scoop/scrubber/scraper that only costs like $20. One word of caution though, a place I used to work at had a very large (12-15") lion who was extremely curious about anything entering the tank. He had learned to associate humans with food and would get scarily close to the aquarium service person on occassion. The owner had a good friend who also had a large lion and employed the same aquarium service. He came home one day to find the tank maintenance person on the floor in the fetal position in agony. He ended up fireman carrying him down the stairs and taking him to the ER, the guy apparently did have a moderate allergic reaction to the sting.
pvt7donut
New Member
when i was going to set up my saltwater tank.i wanted a lionfish....at first i was afraid i was going to get stung by it as soon as i got it...im new to the whole saltwater stuff still...but i had this lionfish for about a month.....he is finally accepting frozen foods when i drop a silverside in there....as well as eating it when i hold it just above the surface......hees grown a good 2 inchs since ive had him.....hees like...5in now....this fish is amazing...the only time i was really afriad of getting stung was when i took him out of the bag and into the acclimating bucket. that was the one time where i was extra cautious.
hammerhed7
Active Member
Lions dont sting to aquire food, the spines are used if another fish tries to swallow it, it is purely defensive, and the lion can't control when to sting and when not to. In order to be stung you would have to bump into it's spines, which sounds impossible, but I have caught mine very close to my hand while cleaning the tank and not paying attention. they are curious fish with great personality, you just need to keep a close eye when cleaning the tank.
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by 1journeyman
I had the most bizarre thing happen... a few months ago I dip my feeding cup into the aquarium (like I always do) to let the frozen foods thaw. Well the fish have learned that cup equals food. Unknown to me one of the Chromis I had darted into the cup (I guess he wnated to get an early dinner). so anyway, 15 minutes later when I go to feed the tank, there is one very fat Chromis in my feeding cup! I didn't notice him until I dumped the cup into the tank. The poor little fish was so full he couldn't even swim. He had a large chunk of fish (homemade food) hanging out of his mouth. As he sank to the bottom my Lion promply tried to gulp him down! I grabbed the net and tongs and pinned the lion. He spit the Chromis (that was halfway in his mouth) back out. That's the only time he has tried to eat any of his tankmates. I suspect, however, that's because I have had him since he was tiny and have always been feeding him frozen foods.
Oh My!!! He probably assumed that whatever was in the cup was up for grabs. That is so funny that the chromis kept on eating! Are they all okay now?
I had the most bizarre thing happen... a few months ago I dip my feeding cup into the aquarium (like I always do) to let the frozen foods thaw. Well the fish have learned that cup equals food. Unknown to me one of the Chromis I had darted into the cup (I guess he wnated to get an early dinner). so anyway, 15 minutes later when I go to feed the tank, there is one very fat Chromis in my feeding cup! I didn't notice him until I dumped the cup into the tank. The poor little fish was so full he couldn't even swim. He had a large chunk of fish (homemade food) hanging out of his mouth. As he sank to the bottom my Lion promply tried to gulp him down! I grabbed the net and tongs and pinned the lion. He spit the Chromis (that was halfway in his mouth) back out. That's the only time he has tried to eat any of his tankmates. I suspect, however, that's because I have had him since he was tiny and have always been feeding him frozen foods.
Oh My!!! He probably assumed that whatever was in the cup was up for grabs. That is so funny that the chromis kept on eating! Are they all okay now?