Lion fish?

[NanoReefNoob]

Hello,

I just got a 75G tank and I am courently in my cycleing stage. My ammonia is now down to undectable but my nitrates and nitrites are through the roof. Any ways onto my question.

I was going to make this a reef tank but I am getting more and more intreaged by lion fish. My main question is, Can I keep ether fish with it?. I know this is probly a silly question but this is the first place i knew i could find an answer at.

Also can I keep corals with it. I am looking into getting a Russell's Lionfish from Live Aquaria if that helps.

Thank you for any help.

 

[LisaD]

Are you asking if you can keep a lionfish in a reef? If you pick the right corals (hardy, moderate light requirement, non-stinging) and have good filtration and maintenance practices, you could keep a dwarf lion or two in your tank. I would not get a Russell's lionfish, I think it will be a little on the large size for your tank. Lionfish will eat anything that can fit in their mouths, and need to be kept with fish that won't pick at them.

I have a 90 gallon tank with a Mombassa lionfish and radiata lionfish. These are considered medium sized, but even they may outgrow my tank. Mine are with a marine betta, poma angel and small boxfish.

Check out the sticky on lionfish and scorpionfish, at the top of the forum. Also, consider buying this inexpensive book:

New Marine Aquarium by Mike Paletta, under $15 at amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/New-Marine-Aquarium-Step-Step/dp/1890087521

 

[namxas]

Lisa is right on. You might be able to keep a russelii in a 75, but a reef would likely leave precious little swimming space for a large-bodied species, and the more cramped a lion is, the more it will simply just sit there. There have been some nice Russel's out there lately tho.

One thing you won't be able to keep are ornamental crustaceans (shrimp, crabs), altho hermits are OK. We keep scarlet reef hermits in most of our lion/scorp setups. Snails are fine too.

 

[namxas]

Lisa is right on. You might be able to keep a russelii in a 75, but a reef would likely leave precious little swimming space for a large-bodied species, and the more cramped a lion is, the more it will simply just sit there. There have been some nice Russel's out there lately tho.

One thing you won't be able to keep are ornamental crustaceans (shrimp, crabs), altho hermits are OK. We keep scarlet reef hermits in most of our lion/scorp setups. Snails are fine too.