Lionfish

Pterois

(1)

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Suggested Tank

120+ gallons

Max Size

15 inches

Difficulty

Medium

Temperament

Semi-Aggressive

Description

The Lionfish is a stunningly beautiful, yet venomous saltwater fish that is known for its spiky fin rays and bold stripes. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region but has become an invasive species in other parts of the world.

Reef Safe

No, Lionfish can harm other inhabitants of a reef tank due to their predatory nature.

Environment

Lionfish prefer a tank with plenty of hiding spots and open water for swimming. They can adapt to various water conditions but prefer warmer temperatures.

Behavior

Lionfish are generally solitary creatures, but they can be found in groups. They are known for their unique hunting method, in which they corner prey using their large fins and then quickly swallow the prey whole.

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Owner Reviews

Overall Rating:
Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes
What You Feed: Frozen mysis shrimp, frozen brine shrimp, live ghost shrimp, live guppies, live balloon mollies

Although very shy when first introduced to new tank, they start to come out more and more, very easy to train once they get over that phase, and if you’re brave enough they can even be trained to accept belly rubs! Would definitely get more and do plan on it! Very beautiful fish and very curious, almost as if they are aquatic dogs! Not necessarily reef safe unless you rigorously train them to eat other foods, live, frozen, or pellets because they are predatory animals.

Reef Safe: No
Visibility: Hides Frequently
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Difficulty: Medium
Min Tank Size: 125 Gallons

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Lionfish

Pterois

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