Best lionfish for a 75gl tank

[zeeter]

Any thoughts? I'm thinking of getting a dwarf. The pet shops say 45gl minimum, but they always downsize so they can make a sale.

Looking at the Dwarf Zebra right now.

Edit: Should probably point out my other fish:

Dwarf Angel
Mimic Tang that I'm thinking of getting rid of. He's older and ugly now.
2-Clarkii
A couple of PJ Cardinals
A Royal Gamma
Various cleaning critters

While I wouldn't like to see the gamma or cardinals die, it wouldn't send me into a mourning period. I doubt he would mess with the Clarkiis and the angel and tang would know best to stay away from him.

Also, what is the sting reaction from the lionfish? I've been stung countless times by anemones and bristleworms. Only ever received a minor, itchy rash. I had heard others call the lionfish venom either quite painful or just less than a bee sting.

 

[namxas]

Lionfish are one of the most docile fish you can keep...sure, they'll make a meal out of fish they can swallow, but this is true of many fish. I'd be more concerned with possible harassment by the clownfish or the angelfish.

In a 75 gal, dwarf lionfish species (genus Dendrochirus) would be fine, as would any of the medium-bodied lionfish (Pterois radiata, P. mombassae, P. antennata, P. sphex). Obviously, a medium-bodied lion has a larger mouth than a dwarf, so they're able to eat larger prey.

IME with dwarf lions, the fuzzy (D. brachypterus) is the most hardy and easiest to wean onto non-living fare. Fuzzies can be kept in M-F pairs or M-F-F trios as well as with other dwarf species, and they come in colors: red, brown, yellow, and any combination thereof.

D. zebra can be a bit touchy to keep at first, but once established, are just as easy to keep as any of the lions.

D. barberi (Green Hawaiian lion) has really cool red eyes as an adult, and are very similar to the fuzzy in care, altho they're a bit more cryptic.

D. biocellatus (fu manchu) are gorgeous fish that have a very unique stalking behavior, as well as the smallest mouth of the group. However, this fish can be the most challenging to wean.

The answer to all of your questions, including first aid for a sting, as well as photos and descriptions of each species and their habits can be found in this article:

Lions, and Turkeys, and Devils, Oh My! Lionfish in the Home Aquarium by Greg and Renee Hix

The article is due for a revision, as we need to add some info and photos of P. sphex, the "other Hawaiian lionfish (we were lucky enuff to find one after the article went live).

HTH...sorry for the long post.