Who has a Lion?

rykna

Active Member
I'm thinking about getting a lion...
I'm leaning towards Antennata Lionfish
(Pterois antennata), but I'd like some input from Lion owners please.
 

rykna

Active Member
Originally Posted by zdthompson
I have 2 lions a black and a red vio. what do you want to know?
Are any of them easier to care for over the other? 2 years ago I order a Antennata, but the UPS neglected to take the fact in that is was -5 here, and left the poor little guy in the back of the truck

Is there any special needs for Lions? I've seen a variety of food reccomended to feed them...what do you suggest?
what type of tank set up do they like?
The tank I'm setting up is basically a Lion only tank.
Lions eat just about anything smaller than they are right?
Thanks,
Rykna
 

srfisher17

Active Member
Originally Posted by Rykna
Are any of them easier to care for over the other? 2 years ago I order a Antennata, but the UPS neglected to take the fact in that is was -5 here, and left the poor little guy in the back of the truck

Is there any special needs for Lions? I've seen a variety of food reccomended to feed them...what do you suggest?
what type of tank set up do they like?
The tank I'm setting up is basically a Lion only tank.
Lions eat just about anything smaller than they are right?
Thanks,
Rykna
Do you have a tank size in mind? Volitans grow incredibly fast and need lots of room, Radiatas and Antennetas (both under-rated, IMO) don't need as much, and the dwarfs need even less. Tank size will depend on which lion and tankmates. Lions sometimes get a bad rap; they get along just fine with lots of fish. Avoid tankmates they can swallow and those that will go after their beautiful fins. IMO, the Radiata and zebra dwarf are a little more difficult to acclimate than most; but once eating well most lions are as easy to keep as any fish I know of. (Except the damsel you want to get rid of). Avoid the #1 cause of lion death: over feeding fresh water fish. Feed a variety of fresh seafood, freeze dried krill (soaked in selcon), etc. They love garlic: it seems to stimulate their appetite and helps to get them eating varied and healthy foods.
 

rykna

Active Member
The little guy(soon not to be so little) would have a 55 all to him/herself.
I think I'll go with the Antennata, I like the coloring of that lion the best. With all the food enhancers/enrichments I have for my seahorses I should be able to serve up something the little guy can't resist.
I've read that lions are rather shy,,,and spend much of their time hiding. Is this true, or once they get settled do they take over their tank?
 

srfisher17

Active Member
Originally Posted by Rykna
The little guy(soon not to be so little) would have a 55 all to him/herself.
I think I'll go with the Antennata, I like the coloring of that lion the best. With all the food enhancers/enrichments I have for my seahorses I should be able to serve up something the little guy can't resist.
I've read that lions are rather shy,,,and spend much of their time hiding. Is this true, or once they get settled do they take over their tank?
This is just my experience; but I think most lions are not nearly as secretive and nocturnal as a lot of sources suggest. They can be at first, just like many other fish, once acclimated, they become very tame and "up-front". They like a place to retreat and will often rest upside down under an overhanging piece of rock. I always have trained mine to eat using a feeding stick and guess this has a lot to do with their staying up front--food! If they have the room, other fish stay out of their way; but I think most lions really aren't very aggressive and ignore most fish that don't resemble food. The Antennata you're looking at should be fine in a 55, they only reach about half the size of Volitans; but there may be those that disagree, after all, this is a forum.
 

usc932000

Member
Originally Posted by srfisher17
This is just my experience; but I think most lions are not nearly as secretive and nocturnal as a lot of sources suggest. They can be at first, just like many other fish, once acclimated, they become very tame and "up-front". They like a place to retreat and will often rest upside down under an overhanging piece of rock. I always have trained mine to eat using a feeding stick and guess this has a lot to do with their staying up front--food! If they have the room, other fish stay out of their way; but I think most lions really aren't very aggressive and ignore most fish that don't resemble food. The Antennata you're looking at should be fine in a 55, they only reach about half the size of Volitans; but there may be those that disagree, after all, this is a forum.
Ditto!

Every Lion that I've had (3 so far) are what you described. They have always been my favorite fish in my tanks and never failed to put on a show for company. The fact they are venomous and carnivores demands that they carry the label of being aggressive. But Damsels have been more of a terror than any of my Lions have ever been...lol
 
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