Calling all Lionfish experts

I can't seem to find a consensus on the proper tank size for the volitans. I've looked at many books and sites. Some say 55, others say no smaller than 150. some say they get 7 in. captivity, others twice that size. I fell in love with this fish when I saw it in the fish store a few weeks ago and wanted to get a tank just to house it. The biggest I have room for is a 55, so I thought I'd ask anyone who actually has experience with the lion their opinion. Would I be able to house a volitans lionfish, not a dwarf, in a tank this size by himself? Would he even like to be in a tank by himself? any advice would be appreciated thanks

 

I REALY wouldn't suggest a lionfish. If you look in my pic on the side, the lionfish has those long, feathery things on the spine and fins. Those are poisonous if you didn't know. They look fragil but their not, the skin flap will fold back when you touch it and poison you. Sure, they look cool, it's my favorite fish, but you wouldn't want one unless you would risk being stung.

 

lemme try to get a good pic of a lion fish's spines...

 

thank you for your opinion but i'm well aware of the lionfish and it's infamous sting. I feel like I could write a book on it bc I've been reading about them for the last few weeks. I just would know what size tank to recommend for them.

 

ok, ummm, lemme find out

 

lets see....
Its 30 ga minimum for dwarfs and 55 minimum for regulars.
Also, the tank size might keep it from it's full size, and make it more aggressive. If you only have the one lionfish and your careful I guess it should be fine.

 

I recommend 55ga or more

 

yeah i've heard that as well but i've also read 55 was too small for big guy. that's why I was wondering if anyone on the board had any experience with them personally. Thanks for checking on that for me

 

No problamo! ;D

I love lionfish but I'm too scarred to get one lol.

 

tank size for a lion fish

I have a lionfish that is about 7 inches long, and I have a 125gal. tank. I put a partition in the tank and only took 1ft of the tank space away from him and he freaked. he got ick and would not eat and almost died on me. they are real picky when it comes to there space.and I do mean there space.They are great fish,but you talk about an attitude-I mean ****, they can get down right ****ed.

 

I also have a baby lionfish, probably about five inches. So he for sure will get bigger, he seems to be enjoying his tank. He is in a 140 right now and he thinks he is king. He kinda scares me sometimes... Ha. The bigger the tank the better for sure.