D. barberi questions

[kaiboshi]

So I was searching around the different LFS last night and I found a 3" barberi lion that I decided to pick up. I have a few questions regarding d. barberi. Can you sex these guys the same way you sex fuzzy dwarves with the # of bands on the pectoral fins? If so, how big do they have to be to get a definitive answer? I believe I have a female but I just wanted to make sure.

This particular lion was labeled as a "peacock lionfish" though when I google peacock lionfish it comes up with pictures and articles about volitan lions. I figure it was a simple mislabeling, was I correct?

The reason I ask is because a sponsor of my local club has access to some "peacock lions" from hawaii. If this is indeed another name for D. Barberi then I would like to pick up a male for my female. Pending sexing of course. If it's another name for volitan then I won't be picking any up.

 

[anbosu]

I don't remember but there are some people on here who can tell you for sure.

If you search for Frank Marini's lionfish article it may have that information in it - if not there I'm sure his book has it.

 

[nateqt]

peacock lionfish is what most of the wholesalers in LA label them as, and they are from hawaii, so if you have access to peacock lions from hawaii then they are barberis most likely

 

[sdsocal]

Good info to know. Never heard them called that.

 

[namxas]

There's also a color morph of P. volitans that has a black body, but normally-striped pectorals, so they resemble a peacock. IIRC, they have these in the Philippines, but they do call them "peacock lionfish".

However, I know sharp "scorpies" like you fellas would know the difference.

 

[kaiboshi]

at 3" TL is she big enough to accurately sex?

 

[namxas]

If the fish has attained its adult coloration, there's a pretty good chance its sexable.

 

[FMarini]

Could it be a p sphex?
they look alot like p antenata, which frequently called peacock lions since they have eyespots

 

[Moray keeper]

I never heard peacock lion refered to either of the Hawaiian lionfish but as Frank had mentioned it could be a sphex which are sometimes mistaken for antenata lions. I just lost one of my barberi yesterday, no power for 4 days after that freak storm that hit the northeast. Can you post a picture?

 

[nateqt]

Lionfish, Peacock (Hawaii)/ Sm $22

that is from one of the lists of the wholesalers in LA and those turn out to be barberis