Picasso Triggerfish and Volitan Lionfish

Volitan enemy?

Does anyone know if a Dragon Wrasse would be aggressive and harm my Volitan Lionfish? My Volitan is only about 3 inches long.

 

Hi, welcome to Fishlore

Ummm, what size tank do you have? The Dragon Wrasse can get to one foot, and can make a mess of the aquarium as it searches for food. Shifting rocks/corals etc. Too, a reasonably deep sand bed is required for it to sleep in (if you believe LiveAquaria )

I have no direct experience with either species, but as usual with a lionfish, stocking anything else with it should be done with caution. No matter the size, I would think the wrasse is in more danger from the lionfish, than the other way around. The lionfish is an awesome predator, even when young.

 

Ive had the Dragon for about a year now,hes starting to change into an adult.Hes about 4 inches long.My Volitan is about 3 1/2 inches long.My tank is 125 gallons.I took my Triggerfish out so he wouldnt screw with my Volitan...........thanx for the info

 

Hi, I've been doing a lot of research on these larger/aggressive wrasse and just added a 5" (will be 10") Lyretail wrasse to my 180g predator tank which is as close to a Dragon as you can get. I've heard these can be kept with a lion but would have some concern (they can go psycho). They should be added as close to last as possible 'cause they are very territorial and will attack because of this and to feed if they feel they can. Lions on the other hand are ambush predators and really not territorial and only aggressive if they think or can swallow the prey but otherwise quite peaceful. If I may add, the only fish I would say absolutely NOT to add with a lion is an aggressive type of triggerfish as per my research and IME. I tried (silly me) a 4" trigger in with a 6" lion and out of nowhere a violent attack occurred nearly killing the lion, I cannot stress enough how fast (and violent) these attacks occur!

* I love my trigg's !!!

 

thanks for the tip! :thumbup:

 

Your welcome landshark777. I like your taste in fish and concern for them considering the dangers. The Volitan is an absolutely amazing fish and just wish I could keep one myself safely in my 180g but....NO!!! Great luck with yours and enjoy having him and keep us posted !!!!

 

Does anyone know if these two kinds of saltwater fish would be able to coexist? I have a 125 gallon tank.My triggers about 3 inches long and so is my Lion.I currently have them in separate tanks.

 

nevermind,I tossed him in with the Lion.....lol

 

Lionfish and Picasso Triggerfish buds?

I have both these fish in a 125 gallon tank.Theyre both about 4 inches long.Does anyone think the Trigger would try to kill my lion?? I added the Trigger last. Ive had them together for about,a week and a half and everything seems okay..

 

I don't like to tell anyone it can't be done , that being said great caution should be used when mixing lions with triggers , puffers , large angels and the like. Even if there is no aggression now fish may change as they mature or may start to pick at the flowing fins of the lion causing stress and wounds that may become infected. Anything can be tried and you may have success, but just in case things get nasty it is always a good idea to have a backup plan. Having a second tank to move the aggressor to or an agreement with a friend or local store to take one of the fish if they have problems, would be a good idea. Keep in mind , a full grown lion may take a defensive posture when picked at and may accidently envenomate the tankmate ,death will happen in about half an hour. If things don't work with the Picasso , you could try a pink tail or cross hatch trigger , I know folks who have had better luck with these.
Good luck , and please share your experience ,as that is how we all learn.

Kat

 

Info (thread attachment below) given to landshark777 prior, but feel free to ask again ???





* note; "aggressive" and this was the one (of my two) that nearly killed the lionfish.

 

I agree that Picassos are one of the most aggressive triggers , and most of the horror stories I hear involve them specifically attacking lions . That's why a plan B is in order.

 

Thanx for all the helpful tips.I put my Picasso in my other tank.Judah my Volitan is my fave in the tank and Id hate for him to be beat up by my Picasso. Theyre such graceful looking fish with all their fins intact.:thumbup:

 

For what it is worth I have a lionfish in a 120 gallon with a Picasso and Niger trigger. They have been together for about 3 months. They completely ignore each other.
Funny that I am more worried about the lionfish taking out the trigger than the other way around. My Lunar Wrasse is really the jerk of the tank anyway!

 

If I may ask Schlitz , what kind of lion do you keep , how old and what size. I love the lions !

 

I have a Red Volitan and he is about 4-5". I have had him since May. The lionfish is without a doubt the coolest fish I have ever kept. He will "follow" me in the tank depending on where I am in the room. If only I could pet him............

 

:thumbup:

 

They are beautiful fish , and most lions will watch you and beg like a puppy for food ,that's why I love them so much.
Your Red volitans may be a Russel's, as most suppliers label them wrong. If it's caudal fin (tail ) is clear , (without spots) and the underside of it's chin is without stripes, it's very likely a Russel's. There isn't a big difference but the Russel will grow to about 10 inches and the vollie will be about 15 in. They are both fantastic fish. Just be aware that when it gets older It may eat any fish it can fit in it's mouth ,even one it has been raised with and seemed to ignore in the past. If it starts showing a lot of attention to a tankmate , like following it , or wiggling it's tail in anticipation when it swims past be ready to move the smaller fish. I am a member a lion forum that has wonderful info on all lions and scorpionfish, but I don't know if I'm allowed to list it , because of the rules.
Enjoy your lion , I like finding fellow pred. lovers !

Kat

 

You are correct. I believe he is a Russel's. I normally refer to him as a volitan b/c most people know what that is. I do suspect my guy was the culprit in a headless snowflake eel a couple of months ago. He wouldn't look me in the eye for a few days after..........
Most of my fish stay away from him except the Lunar Wrasse and the Picasso. The Lunar will swim directly into the lionfish and irritate him. My Lunar basically acts like a nine year old kid with extreme ADHD.

 

One of my lions fins was snapped in half,Picasso is getting evicted as of today....

 

ishy10 You were lucky pal, my Picasso is a terror but fine in my stocking list. There is a saying that "only fish to mix with an aggressive trigger are the fish you don't want", welcome to the aggressive trigger game !

 

thanx:thumbup:Finally got the guy to eat frozen food.Except the only thing he likes to eat are small,frozen eels! He will rarely eat some silversides.He grows pretty dang fast....

 

HI landshar777, I have merged multiple threads where you discuss the same fish, please use only one thread so not to confuse members. Having read through your threads, in one thread you mentioned NOT putting your picasso trigger fish with your voliant lion fish in the same tank, in a second thread, you mention having put them together, please provide accurate details so members can provide you with accurate and proper advice. Best of luck.

 

k