Thinking about a dwarf lionfish

[spotfin]

I have been out of the saltwater scene for a couple of years but am getting the itch again. I have an empty 30 gal tank and am thinking about setting it up with a dwarf lionfish- either a fuzzy dwarf or zebra. Which of these two lions would tend to swim more out in the open? And which adjusts easier to captive life? I like the looks of the dwarf more than the fuzzy dwarf.
Any recommendations for good tank mates? I am thinking a spotted hawkfish and maybe some hermits. Thanks.

 

[namxas]

IMHO, a fuzzy is typically much easier to wean and is generally speaking, a more robust fish. IME, it's also easier to find a "good" specimen. IME, fuzzies are more of an "out and about" species than the zebra. However, D. zebra is a great-looking fish, and if you get a healthy specimen, it should be fine as well.

By Spotted Hawkfish, I'm guessing you mean Cirrhitichthys aprinus? That should be OK with a dwarf species lionfish, but I'd add the lion first, and get it eating, conditioned, and weaned before adding the hawkfish. You'll also want to mind the size differential between the fish, as if the lion can swallow the hawkfish, it just may do so.

You'll want to be sure your filtration is robust in a smaller system like a 30 gal.

Here are three good resources for prospective lion tamers that should give you additional insight:

Lions, and Turkeys, and Devils, Oh My! Lionfish in the Home Aquarium

Frank Marini's Lionfish Info Sheet

Tools of the Trade: Equipment & Techniques to Convert your Fish onto Frozen

Give those a read...they're full of great info and photos.

 

[spotfin]

Thanks namxas. I have read the resources you suggested above-very imformative. Yes, that was the hawkfish I was thinking of. What other tankmates would you suggest?

 

[spotfin]

Would a golden dwarf moray be a good choice? If the lion was 3-4" and the eel 9-10".

 

[namxas]

I think a GDM would be a good tankmate...neither fish can eat the other. I'm actually considering one for our small scorp/dwarf lion setup.

 

[spotfin]

Still looking for a dwarf lion.
Namxas, your mailbox is full.

 

[rattler_mt]

Would a golden dwarf moray be a good choice? If the lion was 3-4" and the eel 9-10".

actually ive been considering that mix myself.....have a 29 gal cycling for the fuzzy dwarf and have been wanting a moray so i though the golden dwarf would make a great tank mate.....the 29 is gonna be hooked to a 20 long "refugium" thats gonna also house a mantis shrimp to increase the water volume and hopefully keep things more stable.....

 

[rayn]

Dwarf would be a good choice! I love my zebra, but a dwarf would be a good first one.

Zebra are a bit more to wean onto frozen though, it took me two months or more of feeding ghosties.

 

[spotfin]

How about a longnose hawkfish as a tank mate? The lfs has one that is 3+ inches.

 

[namxas]

I think a hawk is fine, but I'd be sure the lion is established first.

Thanx for the heads-up about my mailbox!