lionfish in a reef

reefman77 · 02/20/2006, 11:01 AM

I know lionfish will eat most anything that fits in its mouth. I am wondering if they will bother shrimp and clams. also, how fast do they grow. I am getting one that is small (3"-4") and dosent eat live food. should I wory about my antias and wrasses

jeffbrig · 02/20/2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefman77
should I wory about my antias and wrasses

If not immediately, you will have problems it grows. A lionfish can swallow a fish almost half its size. Whether he's eating live foods today or not, the instinct is still there. Ever found a cat that wouldn't chase a string? Same thing here....something moves, he attacks.

davocean · 02/20/2006, 11:52 AM

Agree w/ Jeffbrig
Years ago I had a lion about that size. It ate one of my large coral cats. I couldn't believe it got that thing down it's mouth.
Lion sat on a rock for a couple days w/ huge stretched out stomach. Thought he was going to die too!

JENnKerry · 02/20/2006, 03:43 PM

If you get a smaller one like a fuzzy dwarf or zebra dwarf then your fish should be fine as long as they aren't a fish that stays small as an adult. Your corals and clam will be fine but your shrimps, small crabs and snails might be goners.

02/20/2006, 11:01 AM	#1
reefman77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: naperville, IL Posts: 729	lionfish in a reef I know lionfish will eat most anything that fits in its mouth. I am wondering if they will bother shrimp and clams. also, how fast do they grow. I am getting one that is small (3"-4") and dosent eat live food. should I wory about my antias and wrasses

02/20/2006, 11:52 AM	#3
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Agree w/ Jeffbrig Years ago I had a lion about that size. It ate one of my large coral cats. I couldn't believe it got that thing down it's mouth. Lion sat on a rock for a couple days w/ huge stretched out stomach. Thought he was going to die too! __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

02/20/2006, 03:43 PM	#4
JENnKerry Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Jersey Posts: 7,384	If you get a smaller one like a fuzzy dwarf or zebra dwarf then your fish should be fine as long as they aren't a fish that stays small as an adult. Your corals and clam will be fine but your shrimps, small crabs and snails might be goners. __________________ We Don't Have a Signature..... Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon Reef