Pterois Lunulata?

[StephLionfish]

Was at the fish store and saw a lionfish that looked similar to a Volitans....but different. I really like it, but have no idea what it needs or how big it gets. The common name said Pterois Volitan, but the scientific name said Pterois Lunulata....i may be mispelling. So, can someone fill me in on it?

 

[namxas]

Personally, I've never seen P. lunulata in the flesh, and to be honest, unless your LFS and the wholesaler are really up on lionfish ID, I'd be surprised if the fish is correctly ID'd, as it is rare in the hobby. I'm not knocking your LFS, however, I've seen WAY to many lions mis-ID'd at LFS as well as wholesalers to believe it without seeing the fish myself.

The luna lionfish is very similar to P. volitans, however, the fish reaches a slightly smaller adult size, has partially-webbed pectoral rays (about 2/3 the length of the rays), have more rounded heads which may lack many of the dermal flaps that P. volitans has, and the dark stripes have a net-like appearance owing to a white "spot" in the central part of their scales. Also, the median fins are almost clear, but do have a few spots on them.

Care is the same as for any of the large-bodied Pterois species.

It's a great score if the fish is indeed P. lunulata...

I'd love to see some photos!

 

[FMarini]

Interesting... I believe similar to Greg this is a misID'd P volitans or P miles.

P lunulata is temperate (coldwater) japanese lionfish. I have seen them in the Okinawa aquarium. They do look different than P volitans.
Great success if it is a P lunulata

 

[StephLionfish]

It had dark brown stripes, and the stripes where thicker than Volitans are. It was about as big as my Vol, which is why it caught my eye.( I've been looking for a Vol as big as mine for the 210 ) I noticed....that the back fins ( I know what they are called....its on the tip of my tongue...) are clear-ish.... That Really got my attention... They are clear, with a few spots around the edges of the fins. The head was shaped differently.

It was in bad shape....breathing heavy and looked like it had a slight case of ich...
It was 60 bucks. And right in the middle of aggressive fish.
I will get some pictures up soon ( if someone else doesn't buy it)
A worker was extremely rude to me...I cannot believe some of the things he said about me to me....so I'm not fancy of the idea of going back...

Also, I don't have a QT set up, and my Dwarf Zebra lionfish never made it thru hypo when he had ich...so I'm nervous of doing that again...

Wait, FMarini, so it has to be in a colder tank like the bluefin or whatever that one dwarf lion from Japan is? So it can't go with my Volitans?

 

[namxas]

I think the best way to tell the species is to look at its pectorals and see if they rays are webbed.

As Frank mentioned, if it is indeed a luna, they hail from cooler waters, so you'd want to keep it at least in the low 70's, altho we keep our bluefin at 63*F.

BTW, Frank is the author of the excellent "RC" lionfish care article as well as the book Lionfishes and Other Scorpionfishes...just in case you didn't know.

 

[FMarini]

maybe a large adult P Russells?

 

[namxas]

When Steph mentioned the different striping, that's what I thought too. Could be one of those fish that has a few spots on the median fins.

Steph,

If the fish is obviouly ailing, I'd leave it be. We walked away from a yellow fuzzy once because it was sick, even tho we could have cared for it better than the LFS. $400 for a sick fish was a leap we weren't about to make. We told them "cure the fish, and you have a sale".

 

[StephLionfish]

maybe a large adult P Russells?

Only it's not large. When I said "as big as my Vol." I really meant " same size". Mine is about 5" including fins and all. So is the lionfish in question.

Poo, well, I can't set up another large tank at the moment...and I doubt my Vol would be happy in a cold tank.

Greg, I read it....and it was the thing that got me hooked, seeing all the lions... It's great, FMarini!
But, the Russells on the article looks different than the "Lunulata". The stripes aren't as "thick". I will try to get a pic tomorrow.

I envy whoever gets it, and I hope they do research on it and give it its proper needs. :\

 

[namxas]

If the fish is sick, I don't envy them at all...

 

[StephLionfish]

Got some pictures. The fish is looking good today, aside from being really thin. I want it so badly, but I can't get a big tank with one fish in it... The LFS has it in high temp sw tank...

 

[StephLionfish]

Some are blurry....well, they are all blurry, but good enough I think.

Super friendly

 

[DoubleM 10]

i would say thats a russel. but im no expert lol

 

[StephLionfish]

I thought Russells didn't have any spots on the back fins? hm...just have to wait for the experts to chime in.

 

[namxas]

P. russelii

Russel's lionfish typically doesn't have spots on its median fins, but there are certain specimens that have a few spots on them. Also note the lack of markings under the chin, which is another characteristic of P. russelii. The fish in the photo doesn't have a rounded head either, but the typical "pointed" snout of P. russelii. Also, the pectoral rays are free of webbing for most of their length.

 

[FMarini]

yup- P russelii..... a beautiful one at that
agreed that most have a few to no black spots on second dorsal, anal, and caudal- but some do.
The juvenile pec webbing is also very much like a Russels. Its a great fish eitherway, and you dont need a chiller

 

[namxas]

Agreed Frank...if the fish gets fattened-up, it's going to be a pretty fish. It's arrow-shaped caudal fin is really pretty.

 

[StephLionfish]

Do they grow at the same rate that Volitans do? And can I put it with my Vol w/o them fighting?

 

[seahorsedreams]

Oh steph, that is one skinny skinny lion. He has suffered since his capture. Make sure you follow all the golden rules with selecting his food and giving him vitamins. When the meat above their lateral line is sunken.... they're starving to death.

 

[StephLionfish]

Well, I don't have it...it's still at the lfs. I was going to get it for my 210, but I remember seeing on LA that they fight with other lions? I haven't read this anywhere else, but I would hate to bring him home and him and my vol fight...

He's super friendly. When I went over to the tank he's in, he came right up to me. Now I just want him more...cause don't want him to die from starvation...( cause, I have to be honest, they don't feed lionfish worth anything. Just toss the krill and hope the lion bites)

 

[seahorsedreams]

He won't fight with your volitans.