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how big of a tank should i have for a lion fish?

how big do they get?

Well first, what kind of lionfish do you plan on keeping? If you don't know do some research. Here is a link that shows you most of the types of lionfish available on the market. The only thing that is off is probably the tank size. I don't agree with them. For the Volitan you probably need a 75 gal and for the others a 40 gal.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=36

common or volitan lions when full grown is like a basketball in your tank. you need atleast 24 inches high and wide.

dwarf varities are cool in a 30-40g tank some are a little bigger than others.

Pterois volitans, the Common Lionfish, can reach 35 cm in length (about 14 inches). That's a LOT of Marine fish in one body. An adult needs a 6ft x 2ft x 2ft tank to stand a chance of feeling comfortable, and if you can give it more space, so much the better.

The Regal Lionfish, Pterois radiata, reaches 8 inches (20 cm), and I'd still give this fellow around 80 gallons to make sure he's comfortable.

Remember also that in quite a few places, Lionfishes congregate in small groups, and if you have the space to let Lionfishes live in a small group in your aquarium, then again, so much the better. I saw a truly awesome setup at Liverpool Museum five years ago, featuring eight radiata Lionfishes in 1,000 gallons all to themselves. Needless to say, they were happy Lionfishes!

Now not everyone can do that, I admit, but even if you run with the smaller species, check to see if they too are known to congregate in small hunting packs in the wild, and if so, try and arrange for them to live in a similar situation in the aquarium for best results. Remember also that Lionfishes are wonderfully intelligent fishes that will take considerable delight in dropping surprises in your lap! A classic example being one case documented in my 1970s TFH back numbers, of a fish that watched the other inmates in its aquarium carefully, noted that they dropped their guard somewhat after the owner had fed the Lionfish, whereupon it pounced and helped itself to two Clownfishes. A fish that is clever enough to be taught tricks such as ringing a bell above the water for food is more than smart enough to pull fast ones on you should you house it unwisely with edible companions! If you try pulling fast ones on the Lionfish in return, however, it'll show its displeasure by flinging a tail-load of water in your face next time you approach the water surface!

This, incidentally, apart from the outlandish finnage, is part of the attraction - Lionfishes can become real pets, and can differentiate between the people who feed them and those who merely stare and watch.

I'd spend a LONG time reading up on these guys before getting one. They're hardy, pretty bomb proof as regards disease, but they're devilishly intelligent, and they'll keep you on your toes!



Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002