lionfish tank questions

[obzezzed350]

hey guys, new to this forum
I am planning on doing a 55g tank with 2 antennata lions with some live rock. Just curious as what can i do for a cleaner crew. My research has shown me that my lions will eat my snails and crabs. What options do I have? Sea star, urchin? thanks guys

 

[welsher7]

I have a lot of snails and a some hermit crabs in with my russells lionfish

 

[Ranzan]

that tank is to small IMO 55 would be bare minimum for 1 lion go bigger IMO

 

[FMarini]

not sure where your research was done, but I've kept almost all species of lions w/ snails, cukes, urchins, starfish, and some hermits and pretty much they leave then alone
Crabs-different story

You might want to read up on lionfish husbandry here
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-11/fm/feature/index.php

 

[dendro982]

I have the similar lionfish - mombassa, no problems with hermits (blue legged, zebra, maroon), porcelain crab, 2 fire (or blood) shrimps, astrea and turbo snails, starfish.

Medium-sized hermits should work well - picking the pieces of fish or shrimp. What they will leave - you can remove by rigid tubing, like by pipette.

My lion is roaming free in 90g, being the only big fish. May be 1 lion will be enough for 55g? You can add few chromises - they are small and active. If lion will not eat them (chromises are $4, if on sale), they will make very colorful company, complimentary colors. Photos of mine are in the thumbnail gallery here:
http://dhost.info/defineyourreef/refpages/lionG.html

 

[socal-trading]

Lions will not eat snails or hermits.

 

[boggs32]

ditto to what everyone else said. They aren't going to eat anything with a shell and they won't eat anything that doesn't look like it will fit in their mouth.