A good start with Volitan Lionfish

[reefmusic]

I have been setting up a tank where I can keep fish that aren't compatible with a my reeftank, such as a lionfish. First fish in the tank after cycling were small perch and 'stripeys' that I caught myself. All, about 1 cm length. Also some small glass shrimp. I figured they'd eventually end up as lionfish food when I finally bought one.

Oh boy was I right. I got home this morning with a young lionfish (about 6 or 7 cm). As I was acclimating him, he was attacking the inquisitive perch and stripeys through the bag !! When I released him, he immediately went into stalk mode, and within 5 minutes, had his first catch, a shrimp. Within 20 minutes he stalked and caught 3 fish. He is now sitting with a full stomach, looking quite pleased with himself.

 

[reefmusic]

Here's a picture of him

Here's a picture of him

Here's a picture of him

 

[stangd1909]

He's really cool looking! Some of my fav fish!

 

[MrTuskfish]

Watching lions hunt is great. But, every time you put SW wild caught food in the tank; you are risking parasites & disease. I'd get him weaned onto frozen food ASAP. I give my Lions a live FW fish on rare occasions, avoiding goldfish & kin.

 

[reefmusic]

Watching lions hunt is great. But, every time you put SW wild caught food in the tank; you are risking parasites & disease. I'd get him weaned onto frozen food ASAP. I give my Lions a live FW fish on rare occasions, avoiding goldfish & kin.

Yep. These small fish have been in the tank a while before he was introduced - so I guess they have been quarantined for a while with no sign of disease, and that makes them a bit safer.

The plan is to get him onto fresh and frozen food as he runs out of the prey currently in the tank.

 

[ashtree68]

It looks like you have some interesting aquascaping, can you post a FTS? Nice lion!

 

[reefmusic]

It looks like you have some interesting aquascaping, can you post a FTS? Nice lion!

Not a FTS but, the 'interesting' aquascaping you see is a large sunken ship model. Purists might think it's bad taste, but it works for me The lion is asleep in his cave, which is the rear portion of the ship, when this was taken.

 

[namxas]

Pretty little volitans. With good care, and a nice varied diet, it will become a pretty BIG volitans. There's nothing quite as impressive as a 12"+ lionfish.