Volitan lion compatibility

[gablett]

I am considering rescuing a 8" lion. I have always wanted one. However I have a 220 gallon reef. In it are several blue chromis. I'm sure they would have to go. I also have a hippo that I had since he was the size of a quarter and he is only a couple inches long. Is he in danger? Or will he grow fast enough to keep up with the lion? I also have a false perc clown pair but they should be able to hide in their 2 btas right? Also have a small green mandarin, not sure on him. He's q good hider. Also have a large Naso, a medium sailfin, large scat, medium Niger and a few inch long wrasse. What are your thoughts from those with experience?

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

 

[snorvich]

The large naso and perhaps the medium sailfin will be relatively safe.

 

[gablett]

Really. That bad eh?

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

 

[anbosu]

If it can fit in its mouth, the lion will eventually eat it. Also triggers + lions are a bad combo, the lions get killed a lot of the time.

 

[namxas]

I wouldn't be too concerned with a planktonic-feeding trigger (like the niger) and a volitans unless you happen to have one that's nasty.

As for anything the lion can fit into its mouth...I know somebody that just had a full-grown volitans make a snack out of a full-grown female maroon clown (6.5" clown).

As far as some of your other fish are concerned, shape will make a difference as well. For instance, a cigar-shaped fish is easier to swallow than a "tall" fish. If given a choice, lions will typically go for the easier to swallow prey.

Finally, a well-fed lion will sometimes tend to be less likely to snack on tankmates, but there's a fine line when it comes to overfeeding a lion, which isn't good in the long term (fatty liver degeneration).

Personally, I think a full-grown volitans is a real beauty...

 

[gablett]

I think they are one of the coolest fish in the ocean. But obviously don't want to sacrifice some of my other fish. Afraid they would be expensive meals. The guys says he is in with a 3" fairy wrasse and shows no aggression toward him. Even still, should I pass on the rescue?

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

 

[namxas]

Beyond the "fits into their mouth" thing, I kinda tell folks is this:

With a few exceptions, a volitans lion isn't "safe" with tankmates that are less than 2/3 their size. The lion in question may be fine with all of your fish, but it's really all about "acceptable risk".

We have a couple of fish that we're HOPING to add to our volitans setup (which contains a foot-long+ lion), and they're PROBABLY OK, but we're not willing to risk them ATM. So, the risk for us isn't acceptable.

Lionfish typically don't have a mean bone in their bodies, but they can't help being lionfish.

 

[gablett]

Man I am so on the fence. I really was hoping it would work. I'm assuming there is also q chance of a fish being stung in a feeding frenzy too.

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

 

[snorvich]

And there is the possibility of the lion fish over-consuming (too large a fish) and dieing. I think the stinging is less of an issue as lionfish don't do "feeding frenzies. If they hunt like Rhinopias, they suck in their prey.

 

[anbosu]

I wouldn't be too concerned with a planktonic-feeding trigger (like the niger) and a volitans unless you happen to have one that's nasty.

As for anything the lion can fit into its mouth...I know somebody that just had a full-grown volitans make a snack out of a full-grown female maroon clown (6.5" clown).

As far as some of your other fish are concerned, shape will make a difference as well. For instance, a cigar-shaped fish is easier to swallow than a "tall" fish. If given a choice, lions will typically go for the easier to swallow prey.

Finally, a well-fed lion will sometimes tend to be less likely to snack on tankmates, but there's a fine line when it comes to overfeeding a lion, which isn't good in the long term (fatty liver degeneration).

Personally, I think a full-grown volitans is a real beauty...

As the nigers get larger they are supposed to get really mean. I have never had a large one, or had a trigger with a lionfish, but I wouldn't recommend it. It sounds like the OP has too many smaller fish to really risk a volitans anyway.

 

[namxas]

Man I am so on the fence. I really was hoping it would work. I'm assuming there is also a chance of a fish being stung in a feeding frenzy too.

I've had it happen...back in the "old daze" before anyone knew any better, an overzealous Picasso trigger tried to jump in front of a full-grown volitans at feeding time and got envenomated for its trouble. Besides becoming COMPLETELY paralyzed within about 5 minutes, the fish was never "quite right" after that and died within a month.

On another note, Rhinopias sp. make great tankmates for P. volitans, assuming the size differential is correct...