My first aggressive tank. Could use some advice!

[bandh0526]

Hey, I have a 90 gallon reef that's been going for some months now and my husband has just recently cycled out his FOWLR tank which is turning out to be an aggressive tank. He bought a baby Volitan lionfish because he's been wanting one forever. What other fish can go with this one? He wants some Triggers and a snowflake eel. I've been trying to do some research, but what are your thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[techigirl78]

Unfortunately, I think you are going to find yourself limited with a volitan in a 75 gal (assuming this is the tank we are talking about). Most fish that go well with volitan will not work long term in a 75 gal as you need larger fish with a volitan (i.e. can't fit in the lionfish's mouth). That said, lionfish generally are fine with eels, while triggers and lions are generally a no no. Triggers have been known to go after lions fins and harass them, same with puffers.

These lionfish get pretty big. Although a 75 is listed on many sites as the minimum, I think if I got a volitan I'd go with a 125 or larger simply to give the fish space and open up my fish selection some. Another thought would be to return it for a smaller dwarf lion. That would open up your fish selection in a 75.

 

[wickedfish]

I have housed a lionfish, with 2 aggressive triggers the huma and clown and dogface puffer. in a 70 gallon bow tank with no problems. The thing is get them small and keep in mind if your local lfs well take them back for an exchage or trade or any lfs shops near by. Because they will out grow your tank and lion fish blew up in 6 months. Key thing is if your going to house it with triggers to put the lion fish first then the triggers. There a sight to see for about 6 months to max a year. But then get rid of unless you get a 120 gallon or more tank.

 

[bandh0526]

Sorry, I haven't updated my specs. It is actually a 90 gallon.

 

[wickedfish]

90 Gallon. You could house a small lionfish, trigger or 2, dogface and snowflake eel. Just have alot of live rock so they can claim there spot. I had them housed in a 70 gallon with no problems. But after a year in a half. i needed a bigger tank. Thank god my local lfs store takes them back if there in good health. my 70 Gallon now is a reef and i got a 120 gallon for my aggressive. Good luck and remember the lion goes first then triggers and have alot of live rock. I have seen trigger slowly demolish a lion fish by breaking there spines off first then going in for the kill.

 

[bandh0526]

Thank you for the advice. It helps. I'm going to approach all these things slowly. My husband is a bit impatient because he's excited to have his tank going. He was dying for the Volitan, so now we have to work around him.

 

[chevster]

im not a pro, but i say a squirrelfish... they are cool looking.... =P