Getting a Lion

[rinconmike]

I plan on getting a Volatin or Russel Lion to add to my 150 Fish Only Tank. Currently I have the following in there.

Panther Grouper (5"-6") in tank for around 10 months
Snowflake Eel (18") in tank for around 10 months
Porcupine Puffer (6") in tank for around 7.5 months
Heniochus butterfly fish (5") in tank for around 7.5 months

I have a 55 gallon QT tank that has been running for just over a month now. I have it with a HOB Aqueon 70 Filter. I believe it is cycled (ammonia has been zero for around 2 weeks). I do have a couple damsels in there for around 2 weeks now (I originally started the cycle with table shrimp).

I am wondering if I should get a smaller lion (like 3" - 4") and keep it in the QT for several months to grow before I put in the large tank, or should I get a bigger one now and QT for only a month.

Also, when in the QT, I was going to try around .25 of cupramine (read some lions are ok, others are not) and also some prazipro.

any comments are appreciated.

 

[sacremon]

Puffers and lions tend not to mix, for the same reason that triggers and lions don't mix - the species with the teeth to munch coral or invert shells will use the same on lions' spines.

If you still are looking to get a lion, either plan will work. Lions tend not to need much in the way of QT, as they are pretty disease resistant. If they are sick, you will know it just by looking at them.

 

[namxas]

The thing you'll want to do is make sure that your lion is a solid stick-feeder before adding it to a tank of aggressive feeders like you have.

That being said, I think you're already pushing the bioload limit on that tank with your first 3 fish you have listed (consider their adult sizes).

 

[DoubleM 10]

Puffers and lions tend not to mix, for the same reason that triggers and lions don't mix - the species with the teeth to munch coral or invert shells will use the same on lions' spines.QUOTE]

i agree

i had a blue toby puffer and he was fine for a long time. then one night he bit the top spine of my draf lion. the only reason i know that is i could see the damage on the top of the lion. then 1 day later puffer died.

so IME that 2 will not do well together in the long run

+1 to naxmas

 

[rinconmike]

thanks. I knew triggers were an issue with Lions, but I did not think puffers were.

I use to have a lion in the mix along with a trigger (around 6 months ago). the trigger wound up killing the lion and then I wound up getting rid of the trigger since it started going after the puffer after the lion was gone.

Maybe I will just hold off.

thanks,

Mike