Stingrays, Puffers and Lionfish

[TheNanoReefer]

Im still trying to learn as much as possible before I jump in feet first. Im learning a little more everyday. I took my son to the local fish store over the weekend just to look around (never gets old). And we saw that they had some little stingrays. I would guess they were about 3-4" body size, not including the tail. My son fell in love and really wants to get one when we do eventually build our tank.

So my question is, is this even possible? I plan to have in the neighborhood of 75-125 gallon tank because I really want a tang or two. But my overall "goal" of the tank is to be a reef tank. Im more interested in a tank full of pretty rock and coral that fish. However, I do want some cool fish.

Are there any stingrays that are "dwarfs" or stay smaller? Do they get along with coral/rocks? I did notice the tank at the store had 2 stingrays and 2 lionfish in the same tank, so I assume they get along well with bigger fish? But what about smaller fish like Clownfish?

Here is a list of my "dream" tank, however I know they probably wont all get along. What would be a good combo? Iv learned alot of about equipment and upkeep of the tank, but done very little research on fish.

1. coral / rock / sand
2. clownfish
3. tangs
4. puffer
5. lionfish
6. stingray

so which must be out? I know lionfish and puffer dont really get along from what Iv heard. So it looks like it would have to be one or the other of those.

 

[Beaun]

If you want coral, then the puffer is out. Stringrays need more room than a 125 can really offer, Round Stingrays need more like 180g. As for tangs, if you are looking at the 48" tanks (75, 90, 120g) then you will need to stick to the smaller tangs like Kole. With a 125 you can start getting into the medium/larger tangs. With lionfish you really need to think about tank mates because they will eat anything that can fit in its mouth. They are also messy eaters so most people with reef tanks dont want them because of nutrient issues they may cause.

 

[namxas]

it kinda depends on WHICH lion you plan on keeping as to tank size. an adult P. volitans requires at least 100 gals IME (ours is in a 100 gal "wide": 48 x 24 x 20). a Russell's (P. russelii) will work in a 75 gal, as will any of the medium lions (e.g., P. antenatta or P. radiata).

the dwarf species are no trouble at all to house, and for a reef tank may be the best bet. the fuzzy is a super fish. i also think in a reef, a dwarf will be less likely to perch on the coral (some lions do, some don't, but fuzzies tend to be more "vertical" perchers than volitans, no doubt due to space constraints).

IME, it's not so much that the lions are messy eaters, it's more the case that the fare we feed them (chunks of seafood) tends to be very oily, and even when fed lightly/properly, a little oil slick will often form on the water surface, often regardless of surface turbulance.

HTH

 

[anbosu]

it kinda depends on WHICH lion you plan on keeping as to tank size. an adult P. volitans requires at least 100 gals IME (ours is in a 100 gal "wide": 48 x 24 x 20). a Russell's (P. russelii) will work in a 75 gal, as will any of the medium lions (e.g., P. antenatta or P. radiata).

the dwarf species are no trouble at all to house, and for a reef tank may be the best bet. the fuzzy is a super fish. i also think in a reef, a dwarf will be less likely to perch on the coral (some lions do, some don't, but fuzzies tend to be more "vertical" perchers than volitans, no doubt due to space constraints).

IME, it's not so much that the lions are messy eaters, it's more the case that the fare we feed them (chunks of seafood) tends to be very oily, and even when fed lightly/properly, a little oil slick will often form on the water surface, often regardless of surface turbulance.

HTH

When I had mine in my reef it used to sit on a reddish soft coral I have. It didn't really seem to impact the coral; I just moved the lion to my FOWLR when I got a juvi clown.

 

[namxas]

our volitans is a terrible "coral percher", and it's not "the spot"...if you move the coral, it will find it and sit on it. p*sses the coral off something terrible...

fortunately, we're not reefing ATM.