Lion reef

[rezarf]

I upgraded my reef tank from a 65g to a 125g and now my brother wants to setup the old 65 for a lionfish. We also have an old set of nova t5 and he would like to take frags of some leathers, mushrooms, xenia and some zoas to creat a nice little reef for his lionfish

He's really set on getting a violitan but I've read they can get 18 inches? that sounds way too big for a 65 gallon.

does anyone keep a lion in a reef? Are they safe with snails, hermits, and urchins? Thats probably all that would be in the tank other than the lion.

Thanks everybody

 

[918ReefCpl]

I had a 55 with a Black and Red volitan + a few of their dwarf relatives....I had no problems with any of them....If you start out with a small one you should be OK, but remember they are eating machines and should be fed well (appropriately)...that means alot of excess nutrients in the tank for the LR and filters to deal with...Ours were only interested in the live meal that they were provided and left the rest of their tank mates alone (ie other lionfish and the LR).
goodluck

 

[fisher1234]

All fish start out small. I know my lfs gets some in that are 4 inches. Plenty of room for them in a 65 gal. The corals would also be fine with the lion, my are. Even when the lion gets bigger it should be fine.

 

[Grouperhead]

All corals, hermits, snails, urchins should be ok. Shrimp may be iffy, I've seen some lions kept with cleaners but it's a gamble. The only thing you need to worry about are water params considering the lions eating. Good luck.

 

[LisaD]

I would not keep a volitan in that sized tank if you intend to keep it for life or at least in adulthood. lions grow fast. there are a number of great choices that stay smaller and will work out fine in a 65.

Take a look at Frank Marini's Lionfish Care Sheet in Reefkeeping. The like is stickied at the top of forum.

Corals can be a problem in a lion tank for two reasons:
1) bioload, nitrates can be too high if you aren't careful
2) sometimes they will rest on corals, potentially damaging them

I think you will be fine if you go with a smaller lion. you could even keep several dwarf lions in that tank - e.g. fu manchu, fuzzy dwarf and maybe a dwarf zebra. there are intermediate sized lions you could consider as a single occupant.