Stonefish questions.

[rlf_racing]

A lfs has a little three inch stonefish and was wondering if anyone has or had one could tell me their experiences. I am considering getting the little guy but not sure as of yet. I already know this particular type of stonefish could get up to 14"--18" and they are poisonous. Also I know they will eat anything thet will fir in their mouths.
What would be the proper size tank for them when full grown? Can't seem to find any info.
Also if anyone has pics of their stonefish along with a pics of the tank would be greatly appreciated.

Rob

 

[N-dog]

i have a stone fish (Synanceia verrucosa) found off the coast of australia the only problem i have had with mine is that he ate my scooter bleny but other than that he keeps to him self eats great (i feed mostly frozen) i usually throw a big chunk of food in the tank and use a stick to push it down to him i have never heard of a stone fish getting over 6 inches in the wild so i dont think that you have much to wory about in captivity i have read that they can get up to 14 inches but i have talked to many divers none have seen them over 6 inches you can also stunt growth by feeding less often every two days or feeding flake food i have had mine for over 7 months and have seen no growth i feed every day and i feed over 7 types of food including ghost shrimp

 

[LisaD]

True stonefish DO get over a foot long; I have seen several large ones. Also, I keep venomous fish, and I would not keep a stone fish. Too much of a risk, IMO. It's not realistic to expect you can stunt growth and keep a fish healthy, just doesn't work. They may be slow growers, I don't know... There are a few scorpionfish that resemble stonefish and are often sold with the common name stonefish, that may stay small.

Rob, even if the risk seems small, you should not have a stonefish if you have kids. I had a waspfish (highly venomous) jump out of my tank to the floor, where a dog or child could have touched it and been stung. A stonefish would have been even more dangerous.

 

[spamin76]

From my understanding, stonefish, unlike many other venomous fish, are dangerously so. I can't say I know a ton about them, but I do believe there are deaths attributed to them. The stings are supposedly quite excrutiating. I wouldn't keep one just for safety. You don't know if you are going to be allergic until you get stung... or are sleeping with the fishes...

From what I know about hypersensitivity reactions, there is no way to tell how you are going to respond, and I quite like breathing. I know such things are generally rare, but they do happen, and I just don't want to put myself in a situation where such a thing is even remotely likely.

I just don't think unnecessary exposure to exotic venom is ever a good idea.

 

[rlf_racing]

I understand the risk with this fish. I know they are the most poisonous fish in the world. I asked the lfs to order him for me knowing the info stated above. They had a show size stonefish around 14--16". My tank has glass tops so I don't have to worry about him jumping out. If I have to do anything in the tank I will locate him and watch him as work in the tank. Just like I would when I had a large peacock mantis shrimp.

My questions are:
What size tank would he require when full grown?
Besides silversides and krill what live prey could I feed him?
Are they fast or slow growers? As I tend to feed my fish twice a day already.
How often should they be fed?
Are they easier to feed when small (say around three inches) or larger?

Rob

Also I might add this is one of the few fish that got me wanting a salwater setup.

 

[LisaD]

If you'll look at Reef Fishes volume 1, there is a care section on stone fish.

 

[spamin76]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12461108#post12461108 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rlf_racing
I understand the risk with this fish. I know they are the most poisonous fish in the world. I asked the lfs to order him for me knowing the info stated above. They had a show size stonefish around 14--16". My tank has glass tops so I don't have to worry about him jumping out. If I have to do anything in the tank I will locate him and watch him as work in the tank. Just like I would when I had a large peacock mantis shrimp.

My questions are:
What size tank would he require when full grown?
Besides silversides and krill what live prey could I feed him?
Are they fast or slow growers? As I tend to feed my fish twice a day already.
How often should they be fed?
Are they easier to feed when small (say around three inches) or larger?

Rob

Also I might add this is one of the few fish that got me wanting a salwater setup.

It's good to see someone this interested in a fish, and willing to do the research and work necessary. Good luck to you!

 

[rlf_racing]

Well I was searching for the scientific name last night and found out it is not a true stonefish. This is what it looks like.Scorpaenfish diabolus

What size tank would he require when full grown?
Besides silversides and krill what live prey could I feed him?
Are they fast or slow growers? As I tend to feed my fish twice a day already.
How often should they be fed?
Are they easier to feed when small (say around three inches) or larger?

Rob

 

[T-T-Trigger]

ahh, the infamous 'false' stonefish. They are difficult to ween, grow slowly and stay quite small. I shouldn't think you'd need anything more than a 20g - 29g tank. But again, check Reef Fishes vol. 1 for more in depth info.


Also as a general rule, ime only, all lions and scorps are easier to ween the larger they are.

gl, i had one once - it died of unexplained causes within two weeks.

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

Couldn't the LFS that you go to tell you about them, seeing as they already have a show-sized one?