Lionfish in a reef tank??

bialy · 03/12/2014, 05:23 PM

Hello all,
I was wondering if a lionfish could live in a reef tank. I have a 70g tank with two full grown clowns and 4 h. barbouri (giant morph) Seahorses. The seahorses are only temporary in this tank as my other is finishing cylcling (though they have done great in a reef tank). I have done a TON of research and know that any inhabitant that is smaller than their mouth will get eaten so advice on species is appreciated. I was thinking about getting a fuzzy or a Mombasa

. I have a mixed reef which has a green/purple hammer, frogspawn, torch, zoanthid, 1 blasto colony (on an individual rock), a sponge, 2 small bubble tips, and some rics. I have a large cave in the middle of my tank so the lion could have shade (I also have one in the corner). I also have a medium/lowish flow and medium lighting overall. I only have one shrimp which i would get rid of, a serpent star, and 3 LARGE turbo snails. The one down side to my tank is that it is about 2.5 feet tall and only 2 feet long and 2.5 feet back. I was more worried about the lion stinging my corals.
Any help/experience is appreciated and any advice for tank mates and species of lion would help too.

Dmorty217 · 03/12/2014, 07:57 PM

A dwarf lion can be housed in a reef providing the fish are much bigger than the lionfish mouth, shrimp and CUC included. Lower flow is critical otherwise the lion will purch in a low flow corner or rock and not move. As far as stinging coral, you have nothing to be worried about

bialy · 03/12/2014, 08:29 PM

Thank you. Any specific tank mates you can recommend?

Fishy 1 · 03/13/2014, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmorty217

A dwarf lion can be housed in a reef providing the fish are much bigger than the lionfish mouth, shrimp and CUC included. Lower flow is critical otherwise the lion will purch in a low flow corner or rock and not move. As far as stinging coral, you have nothing to be worried about

Nailed it +1

zabes · 03/13/2014, 06:28 AM

that tank is small for a mombasa. could do any of the dwarf species though like a fu, fuzzy, zebra, etc. i currently have a fu that is about 4" and a mombassa that is around 5-6" with a couple chromis, adult bengaii, six line, and a ribbon eel currently. have zero issues though mine are all converted to frozen

bialy · 03/13/2014, 10:40 AM

I was thinking of getting an ambon toby puffer and 2-3 wrasse. Would that work? I heard toby's may or may not be reef safe, so i would hope it would be reef safe. Any advice?

zabes · 03/13/2014, 04:27 PM

would not go with any puffer. known fin nippers and the lion would likely get picked on

bialy · 03/13/2014, 05:06 PM

what about a commerson's angler? or are there any small triggers?

eatbreakfast · 03/13/2014, 06:29 PM

I wouldnt do triggers either, as they are also fin nippers.

Try tankmates with significant body depth, not torpedo shaped. A lion fish is able to eat anything the size of its body minus fins.

With a dwarf lion I would consider dwarf angels or soldierfish,.

Dmorty217 · 03/14/2014, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bialy

what about a commerson's angler? or are there any small triggers?

Your problem is your fish choice and tank size. Lionfish are usually housed well with a groupers, eels, certain triggers that are on the less aggressive side (blue throat, niger, crosshatch, sargassum) puffers, and other fish that get far too large for a 70g. You need to think more peaceful small fish that aren't prone to eating other whole

bialy · 03/14/2014, 03:25 PM

ok thanks.

03/12/2014, 05:23 PM	#1
bialy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 83	Lionfish in a reef tank?? Hello all, I was wondering if a lionfish could live in a reef tank. I have a 70g tank with two full grown clowns and 4 h. barbouri (giant morph) Seahorses. The seahorses are only temporary in this tank as my other is finishing cylcling (though they have done great in a reef tank). I have done a TON of research and know that any inhabitant that is smaller than their mouth will get eaten so advice on species is appreciated. I was thinking about getting a fuzzy or a Mombasa . I have a mixed reef which has a green/purple hammer, frogspawn, torch, zoanthid, 1 blasto colony (on an individual rock), a sponge, 2 small bubble tips, and some rics. I have a large cave in the middle of my tank so the lion could have shade (I also have one in the corner). I also have a medium/lowish flow and medium lighting overall. I only have one shrimp which i would get rid of, a serpent star, and 3 LARGE turbo snails. The one down side to my tank is that it is about 2.5 feet tall and only 2 feet long and 2.5 feet back. I was more worried about the lion stinging my corals. Any help/experience is appreciated and any advice for tank mates and species of lion would help too.

03/12/2014, 07:57 PM	#2
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	A dwarf lion can be housed in a reef providing the fish are much bigger than the lionfish mouth, shrimp and CUC included. Lower flow is critical otherwise the lion will purch in a low flow corner or rock and not move. As far as stinging coral, you have nothing to be worried about __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

03/13/2014, 06:28 AM	#5
zabes Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Adams, MA Posts: 51	that tank is small for a mombasa. could do any of the dwarf species though like a fu, fuzzy, zebra, etc. i currently have a fu that is about 4" and a mombassa that is around 5-6" with a couple chromis, adult bengaii, six line, and a ribbon eel currently. have zero issues though mine are all converted to frozen Last edited by zabes; 03/13/2014 at 07:01 AM.

03/12/2014, 08:29 PM	#3
bialy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 83	Thank you. Any specific tank mates you can recommend?

03/13/2014, 10:40 AM	#6
bialy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 83	I was thinking of getting an ambon toby puffer and 2-3 wrasse. Would that work? I heard toby's may or may not be reef safe, so i would hope it would be reef safe. Any advice?

03/13/2014, 04:27 PM	#7
zabes Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Adams, MA Posts: 51	would not go with any puffer. known fin nippers and the lion would likely get picked on

03/13/2014, 05:06 PM	#8
bialy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 83	what about a commerson's angler? or are there any small triggers?

03/13/2014, 06:29 PM	#9
eatbreakfast Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: seymour, ct Posts: 1,636	I wouldnt do triggers either, as they are also fin nippers. Try tankmates with significant body depth, not torpedo shaped. A lion fish is able to eat anything the size of its body minus fins. With a dwarf lion I would consider dwarf angels or soldierfish,.

03/14/2014, 03:25 PM	#11
bialy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 83	ok thanks.