V. Lionfish W/ Yellow Box?

[fatrip]

hey guys i am just wondering if the V. Lionfish will get along with the box or if it will just eat him? i would think the lion would know that the box was poisonus if he ate him but im not sure if he would still eat him cause he can fit in him mouth.

 

[LisaD]

what's the size of each fish?

 

[fatrip]

well the lion would be a juvenile, and the box only get about 1-2 inch. yes the lion even as a juvie could easily swallow the box, but would it because the box is poisonous?

 

[thepudge]

If the lion can fit the boxfish in its mouth there's a chance it will eat it. Don't take the risk.

 

[fatrip]

well has any one else had a lion fish eat another fish that was poisonous and either lived or dies from it??

 

[LisaD]

the box only get about 1-2 inch

I don't know of any boxfish that is 1-2 inches adult size. Most are a minimum of 6-8 inches as adults and many are over a foot long.

I think you stand a definite risk of having a baby boxfish (like Boston bean) inhaled by a lion. If you get a larger box fish (3+ inches) and a juvie lion, you will most likely be okay as they grow up together.

I haven't had the experience of any of my lions eating a poisonous fish (or any fish I didn't feed). I do know that anglers eat lions all the time and live, so at least some fish can eat poisonous fish and live. Also, my wolf eel ignores my poisonous (skin) mandarin - so maybe they know better. I wouldn't count on it, though.

 

[fatrip]

interesting. thank you LisaD. ill try and find a bigger box.

 

[LisaD]

This article from WWM has some boxfishes and their adult sizes.

Here is another interesting and informative site.

Those little Boston beans you can find for sale that are so cute, spotted and round generally grow into monsters, usually around 18 inches long (depending on species).

There are a few smaller species that might be good choices, like the helmet trunkfish, T. gibbobus. They aren't always easy to find, but they are really nice fish, and not all that expensive.