Volitan Lionfish planning

[aquashelle]

Hey guys!
So I think I have decided upon a volitan lionfish for my 150.
I know they get close to 15 inches, and aren't very active, but they simply are a true beauty in my eyes. My question of course lies with the tankmates.
I know tangs, rabbitfish, and some larger wrasses fare well alongside these fish, but are there any specifics?
My dad is be no means interested in an eel sadly, and I don't want to chance a puffer or trigger in case they are nippers.
I also wanted to try come coral, since lions are said to be coral safe (though no non-sessile inverts of course)
Any good ideas for stocking a 150?

 

[saxman]

IMHO, a full-grown P. volitans is indeed a magnificent fish. we've had ours since it was about the size of a pecan, and now it's about the size of an American football. IME, these fish actually spend a lot more time in the water column than folks give them credit for, and they'll always beg to the "food god".
as for tankmates, we keep Rhinopias scorps with ours, and we have a really nice Scorpaena brasiliensis that will move in once it gets a little more size on it.
in the past, i've kept a foxface (Siganus vulpinus) and a red soldierfish (Myripristes murdjians), and a snowflake eel (Echidna nebulosa) with a volitans. also, planktonic-feeding triggerfish (genus Xanthicthys) and Odonus niger make good tankmates as well.
HTH

 

[srfisher17]

I love these fish too. Avoiding nippers is great, so many folks think Volitans are aggressive; they aren't. They are just big predators that won't bother anything they can't eat. Volitans grow faster that any fish I know of; so don't stock similar size tankmates with a smaller Volitan---the Lion will often grow big enough to scarf the other fish in a manner of months. My favorite tankmates: larger butterflies, harlequin tusk, Xanthicthys Triggers ( as in Saxman's post; but I think Nigers are 'iffy'--I've had problems with a couple), peaceful tangs (avoid Sohals, et al). There are some large Angels that I've kept with them; but big angels don't usually acclimate well and juvis don't grow fast enough. When the lion is big enough; one of those nasty little damsels is a nice addition.

 

[saxman]

Originally Posted by srfisher17
http:///forum/post/3265670
When the lion is big enough; one of those nasty little damsels is a nice addition.

maybe even a clownfish or two... *evil grin*

 

[srfisher17]

I know a breeder that gives me some culls once in a while; watching lions hunt live prey is amazing!

 

[acohen2722]

i have a fuzzy dwarf lion that I am movin into a 90. its moving over with a snowflake eel and I was wondering what would be suitable tankmates. I really love the lion family and would love to add another

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by ACohen2722
http:///forum/post/3265883
i have a fuzzy dwarf lion that I am movin into a 90. its moving over with a snowflake eel and I was wondering what would be suitable tankmates. I really love the lion family and would love to add another
I'd suggest you start a new thread so the two similar topics don't get confused.

 

[aquashelle]

Here's some fish I think I'm interested in:
One-Spot Foxface or Yellow Tang
Blue Tang
Harlequin Tusk or Lunare Wrasse
I'm still thinking
It's really hard to shape a tank around a lion, since you must have such large fish in return. But then again, I don't enjoy tons of 20$ fish that I can't notice from three feet away either, despite my dad preferring them.
I'm also wanting to add some coral to this tank, but obviously, stray away from the inverts such as crabs/shriump etc.
Can some softies do alright with most of these fish?

 

[srfisher17]

[QUOTE=aquashell
Can some softies do alright with most of these fish?
Yes.