Thinking about a dwarf lion in established reef

[splix]

I have a lead on a mature yellow dwarf lion fish that I'm strongly considering. Obviously my main concern is him eating smaller fish. I have a few small blue damsels that I'm not to concerned about him having.
My main concern is my clowns, anthias, and wrasses. The clowns are about the same size as my anthias, which I believe is about full grown also. The mccoskers is full grown as well. I just dont know how big of a fish the dwarf lion will go for and leave alone.

The only reason I'm considering the dwarf lion is due to it being a yellow one. Would it be fine in my tank or should I avoid it?

 

[Buddy55]

My two cents is to avoid it. It sounds like a head ache waiting to happen now or later.

 

[scooter31707]

I think the rule of thumb is to have fish at least half their size. So for a Dwarf Lion getting a 7-8 inches, your fish needs to be at 4 inches or bigger.

 

[snorvich]

I think the rule of thumb is to have fish at least half their size.

Not really.

 

[Spslvr]

what do you prefer more the lion or the chromis.... fwiw I have a dwarf lion in my reef for 4 years now he does take the occasional cardinal [which is why they are there] but seems to ignore everything else including chromis, wrasse other tiny scorpions, clown. he is not in the least bity aggressive and probably my favorite fish he eats frozen silverside from my hand and competes with the other tankmates for frozen spirulina brine and even spectrum pellets.... he is very docile and I can usually give him a belly rub.... I do however believe mine is an exeption and not a rule....

 

[fcmatt]

Don't do it. Eventually the lion will find a chance even if not successful. Their mouth opens very very wide.

 

[IowaReefer]

I have kept several dwarf lions over the last 15 years, none ate anything they were not supposed to unless the fish was small and introduced AFTER the lion, or I let it go too long without feeding. If a chromis becomes a snack, oh well, yellow dwarf lions are very rare and VERY cool.

 

[Irishdolphin]

Not really.

Steve - is there any rule of thumb for this situation?

 

[snorvich]

Steve - is there any rule of thumb for this situation?

No. Ambush predators may attempt to eat any fish smaller than they are, sometimes with disastrous results to themselves. That being said, the color of this fish is fairly uncommon so you have a tough choice.

 

[splix]

I've seen the fish once and it was crazy how colorful it was. I cant remember the exact size but I'll go back monday to have another look.
It's going to be one of the last, if not the last fish in my tank which is mostly full of larger fish, but I do have those smaller guys that arent large angel size.

I think the person that has it now currently has anthiases and clowns in the 80g tank it's in.