I care for about 30 aquariums in southern Oregon with the volitan lion and I've been stung only 3 times in 5 years, of caring for the creatures. They seem to stay away from me all of the time when cleaning. The times I have gotten stung, was from large lions 10" and up. I think that after a few years they get curious and all times I gat stung it was my fault. I even pet some of our customers lions just to show they are not that bad (show off). Do not recommend that move that's how I got stung the 3 times, thinking we were friends. Dog face and lions don't harm each other. Although dog face and groupers, now that's a fight. SEE LIFE... "It's a beautiful world!"