Lionfish!

[Debbiemomma77]

So I want to know all I can about Lionfish! I really want one but I want to know everything!

Tank: new, only firefish and 4 stripped damsel

 

[smsadmin]

If it can fit it in its mouth its dinner. Depends on the size of your damsel, but the firefish will be gone in seconds. Anything they are housed with should be fast swimmers and not aggressive as aggressive fish will nip at the spines. You can convert them to frozen foods and sometimes even pellets, but usually and especially when new to the system you will probably only be able to get them to eat live foods. Good luck

 

[GT350pwns]

They will eat just about anything they can fit into their mouths. They will annihilate any population of ornamental shrimp (blood, cleaners, etc) that you have.

If you want one, you will pretty much NEED to run a protein skimmer as they are very messy eaters/

 

[Dmorty217]

They are gulpers, so anything that it can fit in its mouth it will even if it is only able to eat half the fish. Obviously they are venomous, they like low flow and don't do well with aggressive tank mates like triggers. Most unless they are of the dwarf variety will get over a ft in length and become more difficult to feed, unless you like using a entire pack of frozen food for each feeding. The damsel may live for awhile in the tank but he also will become a snack for the lionfish. They are also dirty fish, not as bad as triggers and puffers as far as biting off food and spitting chunks into the water column but a oversized protein skimmer is a must

 

[Debbiemomma77]

Thank you all so very much!

 

[mcozad829]

Don't waste money on a big one, mine grew about an inch a month for the first year.

 

[Debbiemomma77]

Haha wow! Well I do plan on getting a huge tank after the move, I'm waiting to get him until when we move into our new home

 

[woodnaquanut]

+1 to everything said. If it fits, they will slurp it up. Even if it doesn't fit, they will slurp it up.

I had one try to swallow a wrasse almost as big as itself. Killed both of them!

 

[MrTuskfish]

Everything you need to know from our lionfish experts: http://www.lionfishlair.com/

 

[Debbiemomma77]

Omg I am so sorry for your loss! Thats awful, they sure are beautiful dangerous creatures towards small fish.

 

[Debbiemomma77]

Maybe I'll get a dwarf

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

The dwarf fuzzies come in some beautiful colors.

 

[Debbiemomma77]

I know! I think that is what I'll get!