Lionfish Trouble; soc. dis.        4/18/15
Ok so about a week ago I purchased a lion fish. as the days went by I noticed that one of its find <fins> were damaged and I just thought that it just got injured from being netted at my LFS.
<Quite common; yes>
I Googled around and found that lion fish can regrow their pectoral fins
<All fin elements if not broken back, missing too far back>
so I just didn't worry about it. I wake up Saturday morning to check on it and not only are both of her pectoral fins are practically gone,
<In a day or days? Something in the tank chewed them off... Slow degeneration most often due to environmental issues>
there is a huge chunk of flesh missing from her side!
<Back to the first cause... social trauma>
I narrowed it down to four suspects in my tank: three blue crabs
<Oh yes; these will do it>
and a freshwater moray eel (Gymnothorax tile).
<Much less likely... It's the Decapods>
I'm really confused as to who it was because the crabs are about the size of a one dollar coin, but they can be a little nippy at times.
<Yes; will eat the Eel in time as well>
The eel usually just keeps to himself and doesn't normally attack anyone.
I will add that the crabs were added at the same time as the lion fish. I would just like to know what is going on so I can be better prepared for the future because the lion fish was suppose to be the centerpiece for my aquarium. If this helps any, the tank is a 125 brackish that also has two Columbian Sharks, eight monos (four sebae and four argenteus), a red scat, and a green spotted pufferfish.
<Mmm; well the GSP might be a partial nipper as well. I'd remove the crabs.
Bob Fenner>

Volitans Lionfish question; comp.       1/16/15
Good morning,
<Rich>
Question for you: I have a 120G saltwater aquarium with two healthy Volitans that are about 10inches long each. There are no other fish or corals in the tank. I reviewed your FAQ concerning habitat and was thinking of adding another one (since they are so scarce now in FL). I noted that your page showed a recommended 30-40 gallons of water per fish.
That said, I should be OK adding the new guy right?
<Mmm; you could... >
Thanks in advance for your help.
Rich Clements
<There are other... better choices to go with just the one large Lion. I'd like you to consider after reading here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/LionCompF3.htm
and the other Lion Comp. FAQs files linked above.
Bob Fenner>
Re: Volitans Lionfish question      1/17/15
Thanks. I'll be adding one lion to my other two already in the tank. So it won't be just the one large lion in the tank.
Rich Clements
<Aye ya; do be on the look out for possible aggression twixt. BobF>
Re: Volitans Lionfish question      1/17/15
I'll keep an eye out for that. Thanks!
<Welcome>
I've found that keeping one alone in a tank removes competition and they tend to not want to eat.
<Ah yes>
Two on the other hand works out great for feeding along with keeping good water parameters, etc. Bad water is what I find causes the "hunger strikes" many talk about in the hobby.
<I do agree>
Thanks again.
Rich Clements
<Cheers, B>

Snowflake Eel acting weird. In w/ Lion, mis-fed, no rdg.     2/8/14
Hello,
<David>
I have a snowflake eel that I have had for a year now. She is roughly about 12 inches or so. She is housed in a 29 gal tank with my lion fish
<Not a good match compatibility wise>
 (working on new 75 gal tank as we speak), 2 snails and 2 hermit crabs.
<Lions have been known to swallow>
Tank has been healthy, regular water changes etc.
<What re water quality tests?>
Two days ago after feeding she vomited back up the pieces of silversides
<A poor choice in foods... READ what we have archived re their nutrition; Marco's article on Thiaminase....
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lionfdgfaq2.htm
and the linked files above>
she had eaten (never done that before) and over the last week and a half or so she has re-arranged pretty much all of the sand in the tank and burrowed under all the rocks (she has always had her set rock cave hole).
Now she is not swimming around like normal, would not eat tonight, seems to be breathing a little fast and didn't seem to care that I moved around a couple of rocks. She is just kind of hanging out on the sand. Her color seems to be normal. I can not see any markings like she scratched herself on a rock or something. I read that these eels are pretty resistant to disease and lionfish stings.
<The former yes; no to the latter. Seen many Eels/Muraenids killed by such>
I know that they need a variety in diet, so I go back and forth between frozen silversides (which she loves), live ghost shrimp, frozen clams and live feeder fish.
<... dismal>
I just did a water & filter change tonight. I don't want to lose her. Any help would be great! Thanks in advance!
Jessica
<Keep reading. Bob Fenner>

Lion fish compatibility   9/29/12
Hello,
<Krista>
I recently bought a Mombasa lionfish and he is approximately 2 inches long.
<Wow, tiny>
He eats frozen shrimp and silversides very well and if I'm not mistaken he should grow to be 6 inches and maybe larger.
<Much larger; likely twice this length in time>
 Now my only concern is what would make a good tank mate for him. At its full size, would a Mombasa lion be capable of swallowing a fish that is 3-5 inches in size?
<Yes>
I was hoping to house him with large clownfish or maybe dwarf angels but I'd prefer them not to be snacks either. Thanks for your help!
<Best to have you read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/LionCompF3.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Re: Lion fish compatibility, and now Pseudoplesiops typus     9/30/12
Thanks for answering and being honest. I'm a little disappointed the store mislead me on the potential size of this lion. A 40 gallon isn't large enough in my opinion.
<It is not>
I'll be rehiring him to a friend who has a 6 foot tank and suitable tank mates.
<Ah good>
I do have another question though about Dottybacks this time. I'm having a difficult time finding data on a species called Pseudoplesiops typus or the ring eyed Dottyback. Is there anything you can tell me because nothing is listed on the WetWeb site either?
<Mmm, I've never seen this fish offered for sale in the US, but glad you've sent the name over, as I have photographed this same species in the wild, and didn't know the name. I have no knowledge of its practical husbandry...
Some Pseudochromids are quite easy going (esp. captive produced), others are sheer terrors. I'd read/heed others input re... Bob Fenner>

sick lionfish... incomp. w/ Balistid/s  6/27/12 I'll start at the beginning. 90G tank set-up is crushed coral, 90lbs live rock, lots of swimming room, and Tunze 9011 skimmer (I’m on well water) all my parameters are good. I got 2 Volitans lionfish (6" and 4") and a Picasso trigger, <... not compatible... the image you show evidences this Rhinecanthus having chewed the larger lion> the guy I got them off of only had them for 2 weeks and didn't want them anymore and they have now been in my tank for 2 weeks. The Picasso is fine but the lionfish was not active in his tank and very hard to feed. <... stressed... by the Trigger>  In my tank same thing... lethargic and very hard to feed. I got them to eat on the 4th day (1 silverside) and then 5 days later (1 silverside) nothing since. 3 days ago I notice they both had mucousy stuff on their back by their spines. The next day it peeled off and it was just white underneath. Today the area is bigger and now they have white dots (not like Ich), it's larger dots and in a concentrated area. The smaller lion is now pale. I ran out to the local SW store and bought feeder guppies, carbon, Kent garlic Xtreme and prime. I added the garlic (9 drops) than added 5 guppies...I got no reaction from the lions. I then added the prime and carbon. My smaller lion looked like it was having trouble staying perched on the rocks so I turned off one powerhead (1 have 2 Koralia 1080's) and the smaller lion started swimming around...she's been swimmer around for about an hour now. The larger lion has perch himself on rocks so his mouth is at the surface sometimes out of the water. She has never swam around since I got her...hopefully a good sign. Do you have any idea what is going on with them...velvet disease? Stress? PH - 8Amm - 0Nitrate - 20ppmNitrite - 0Temp-80 I sent you a picture i took today Chantel <The Trigger and Lions need to be separated... NOW. Bob Fenner>

Re: sick <killed> lionfish   6/28/12 Thanks for your advice!! I lost my large lion today but the smaller one seems to be active all today. I pulled the trigger out of the tank and into my QT. Unfortunately it's only a 15G so the trigger is not liking it but hopefully in the next couple days I'll find a home for him....or if i lose my smaller one he'll go back in the 90G. Lets hope the feeding for tomorrow will go well now that there is no trigger in the tank. <... see WWM re feeding Pteroines... they're eager eaters> I guess I presumed because these fish have lived together for the last 3 years they would be okay but I guess the stress of moving got to them. For the future is a niger trigger safe with the lions? <? See WWM re... No. B> Thanks! Chantel

Tankmates for Antennata Lionfish     6/12/12
Greetings from the Texas coast!
<Hello from South Louisiana>
Before delving into my inquiries I would first like to offer my sincere thanks for your service to the aquatic community. If I spent as much time working as I spent reading your endless articles and FAQs, perhaps I'd be able to afford more aquariums!
<I have the same problem.>
I jest, I jest.... Anyways, on to the question.
In the near future I am looking set up my first marine tank. I have kept freshwater fish for years but finally feel comfortable attempting saltwater (mainly due to reading your website...). My plan is as follows - 40g Breeder tank, 30lbs base rock, 5-10lbs live, 2" sandbed (Seachem aragonite sand), Marineland DB LED fixture (too bright perhaps?)
<May want to look into dimmable/controllable fixtures...>
, 2 Hydor Koralia 425s (too much flow here? If so, then the 240s...),
<Really going to depend on tank layout.>
150W heater, either AquaC Remora or Aquamaxx HOB-1 protein skimmer (no sumps for me...),
<May regret not having a sump.>
one 250gph canister running for circulation, possibly phosphate media. I will be using Instant Ocean salt mix, and I plan to keep a 25g bin under the stand full of mixed SW at all times, with a powerhead/tubing to pump into main tank during water changes. WC schedule will be determined by nitrogenous readings once tank is established. Stocking list consist of one antennata lionfish, approximately 3-3.5" upon purchase.
<An adult Antennata is going to be a large load on a 40 and severely limit stocking options.>
 The only problem I am encountering with this plan is (what a surprise!)
my special ladyfriend. The lionfish isn't quite "pretty" enough for her. I was wondering if you knew of any particular species that would be suited for this size tank, and be able to avoid becoming lion lunch and not grow too large too quickly at the same time?
<Not many options due to tank size. A larger Dwarf Angelfish or Hawkfish would be my recommendation but note that an adult Antennata will likely try to eat them. A dwarf species of Lionfish or a larger tank would open up many doors. If you are set on the Antennata and she wants colorful, I'd go with Damsels. They're fast, colorful, and won't break your wallet replacing them.>
Thanks dearly for your assistance, always appreciated.
<Here to help>
Regards,
Byron
<Jordan>
Re: Tankmates for Antennata Lionfish 6/12/12
Thank you for the very prompt response! The reason for use of the 40B and Marineland lights are that I already have them leftover from FW projects.
<Great reason.>
 Once the lionfish outgrows/when I decide to spend the money, something larger is in the future. I will keep your recommendations in mind as I continue my quest!
<Best of luck! Feel free to ask if you have anymore questions.>
Regards,
Byron
<Jordan>
Re: Tankmates for Antennata Lionfish 6/12/12
Assuming the antennata is around 3" at time of purchase, how long would you say I have ideally before he will need to be moved to a large environment?
<Lionfish are one of the fastest growing species commonly kept in home aquariums but giving a specific time frame is difficult. I would estimate 12-18 months and you will have a large fish on your hands. Feeding less often will buy you some time but this can be difficult as Lionfish always act as if they are starving.>
 I also have an old 55g I could use, but I figured the lion would appreciate the larger footprint and rockscape of the 40b over the length and height of the 55. Which of these would you use in this situation?
<This is a toss up but I would go with the 55. Larger volume will help with the load and the added height will provide will allow for larger caves for the Lion to rest in. Lions tend to find a cave and sit in ambush mode rather than openly swimming; the larger footprint of the 40 may be a moot point.>
Cheers,
Byron
<Jordan>
Re: Tankmates for Antennata Lionfish  – 06/14/12
Thanks again for your help.
<Anytime.>
 Would larger damsels such as sergeant majors or blue fins be a suitable choice?
<I would stick with smaller ones and replace them as needed. Larger species will claim more of the tank as their territory and pick each other off.
Chrysiptera sp. are my go to Damsels for predator systems. They are small, fast, colorful, and difficult to catch.>
 Most places report maximum length of ~6", but I've never seen any for sale larger than 2" or so. Perhaps I can get the LFS to request some particularly plump specimens. I believe I will be going with the 55g.
<Good choice on the 55 but remember the Lion is going to need a larger home at some point.>
Cheers,
Byron
<Jordan>