How are lionfish to keep?

[bulletsworld]

This is my second lionfish and both have been volitan lionfish. Most fish seem to know to stay away from Lionfish, so your porc puffer (exception: my last puffer got blinded in one eye cause the lionfish), foxface, Hippo, Yellow and Sailfin Tang would be fine. However; your Checkerboard wrasse, pair of clowns and a Watchman goby would evenually be a nice snack for your lionfish. It's true that what ever fits in his mouth will be food. Buying a small lionfish is best choice as they grow fast.

Just tip. make sure the lionfish is eating frozen Mysis or Krill. I did the mistake of not asking before mine was bagged and now I am feeding live feeders . Although its been a neat experiance to cheer my lionfish (named Chemo) to get the feeder fish. Feeder fish are to initiate feeding, then ween to get them to eat Mysis or Krill. I've had good luck with already switching my lionfish to Mysis in less than a week. Another tip I just learned about lionfish, don't feed them everyday. Do you know how they get sluggish and lazy, you see this all the time in stores... only feed ever couple of days. My first lionfish was really lazy, barely moved. I tryed this tip with the new lionfish and he is so active! It works!

The sting... A fellow reefer was cleaning his tank and the lionfish brushed up against him. He described it as at first like a bee sting and then the pain got worse and worse. He had said at one point he begged his brother to cut his arm off it hurt so bad. He also said it felt like the poison was traveling in his bloodstream working its way to his heart, as he could feel the intense burn. He had a nice hospital ride as he thought he was going to die. When he came home he sold the fish immediately. I will try to find his post, it was a few years back. That scared me enough to take his word for it and buy aqua gloves. I have read in articles to stop the sting and pain to pour hot water on the arm that got stung and it will help break up the toxin that has entered. I just wear my gloves or watch that my lionfish is on the opposite side of the tank.

Hope this helps