Your experience with a Volitan Lionfish?

justinl · #1 09-02-2007, 12:23 AM

smooth anthony. lol.

fyi, there has never been any fatalities directly related to lionfish (stonefish are a different story). dunno if allergies count but that would ceertainly complicate the situation. as mentioned just pour hot water over the stung area asap, but please not boiling.

just as hot as you can stand without scalding yourself. calling a doc just to let him know what happened wouldnt be a bad idea. driving yourself anywhere would be a very bad idea.

bulletsworld · #2 09-02-2007, 02:23 AM

Thanks Anthony for your experiences. Always good to know worst case. Geesh I would have to have a sign on the tank, "DO NOT PUT FINGERS IN THE TANK!"

Im still debating this Lion fish just for that reason.

I'm also wondering if it will really would get along with my 4.5" porcupine puffer and a 3" Star & Stripe puffer, and a med Foxface. I also have 2 bugger damsels in there, but their mean and no loss if eaten. However I would have to remove my 1" picasso trigger to my other tank, just in case.

Any thoughts? What kind of tankmates have you tried with a lionfish??

Thanks for all your feed back so far!

Pan · #3 09-02-2007, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulletsworld

Thanks Anthony for your experiences. Always good to know worst case. Geesh I would have to have a sign on the tank, "DO NOT PUT FINGERS IN THE TANK!"

Im still debating this Lion fish just for that reason.

I'm also wondering if it will really would get along with my 4.5" porcupine puffer and a 3" Star & Stripe puffer, and a med Foxface. I also have 2 bugger damsels in there, but their mean and no loss if eaten. However I would have to remove my 1" picasso trigger to my other tank, just in case.

Any thoughts? What kind of tankmates have you tried with a lionfish??

Thanks for all your feed back so far!

I've only seen them bother small (tiny) puffers, the foxface would be fine
and as long as the trigger doesn't fit in his mouth...but when it does....
I had a larger marine beta that was okay...even my little wrasse lived with it for six months...then he was snagged up pretty quick

EmilyB · #4 09-02-2007, 04:41 AM

My most awesome FOWLR was a clown trigger, a volitan lion, a green wolf eel(blenny) and a huge wild caught saddleback. I actually traded them all in at once to get into reef. I loved those guys. They put them all in the same tank at the LFS as well, and I was so proud...they were all sold in an instant.

I didn't have a camera in those days, I sure wish I did...

justinl · #5 09-02-2007, 07:29 AM

if none of your fish can fit in the lion's mouth then everything shoud be just fine. only thing i would worry about is the puffers nipping on the loins fins... rare case but it happens.

the frequency of stings is actually really low... just keep your head on your shoulders, eye on the fish, you really should be just fine. in fact there are actually quite a few people out there who have lions and dont even know the fish CAN sting... which is stupid on their part, but you get my point.

Myanth · #6 09-03-2007, 04:49 PM

I had my lion for a year and a half, until last week

. Very cool fish, follows you around, corrals other fish with it's fins. I never got stung but I knew how bad it could be. I lost a picasso and a clown trigger to him after they had been together for a long time. One day he just decided that they looked like food. I never thought they could fit in his mouth. (definately go at least tow thirds the lions size as they were both approx half of his)He lived quite happily with a snowflake and a green wolf eel. The moray would every once in a while try for the lion's belly. I had never seen him intimidated by anything until the intro of the snowflake, but they were fine for over a year. He just stopped eating and I couldn't get him to take anything. He was cool. His name was Jason.

Paradisius · #7 10-15-2007, 09:33 PM

Actually, this is the name of my first Black Volitan Lionfish. Translates to "Beautfiful Hunter." Found this thread and though I would submit my thoughts:

In all the years I have been in the hobby, never bought one. Seen another beautiful Volitan Lionfish and thought, geesh maybe its time to try one.

1. What were the things you liked about this fish:
He's stunning and graceful. Since a child, I've been mesmerized.
2. Was it easy to keep?
Only had him for a month, and a day when the water turned brown we panicked, yet he still thrives. Water is back to prestine!
3. What foods did you have success feeding?
This one is tricky. Migoto eats only the "live" smaller fish. In the beginning, it was easy pickings, now he's gotta work at it. The one's left are pretty good at out smarting the fella. Have tried fresh jumbo prawns, but no luck.
4. Did you feed live foods?
Would like to "ween" it to eat mysis shrimp, and silversides, buit not sure how to approach the method of this. They are hard-wired for hunting smaller fish. So, we wait until all the smaller fish are consumed to decide the next step.
5. Did it hide during day, hide in rock till night?
He kinda hides during the day. But when the tank was familiar to him before moving things around, he pretty much floated along during the day. Spends mosy of his time upside-down against the back corner... wierd but kewl. Can't wait to see the "puppy" affect. Any ideas on how to accomplish this?
6.What tank mates did they eat?
Day one, tried to eat a clownfish, failed. Have a pic of that! Funny too, 'cause the little clown escaped just as they mouth re-opened to swallow it. Other than that, Migoto enjoys damsels of assorted varieties minus one: Yellow-tail.
7. How fast did yours grow?
Hasn't grown that much, considering it's only a month. He's at at least 6 - 8 inches already. Rumoured to grow to 15... good thing I have a 90.
8. What do you think the negatives of this fish are/were?
Hmmm, the only negatives I can mustre would be the lack of knowledge out there on how to wean them. But for the sheer beauty, I don't mind smacking down good cash on real fish he enjoys... Although, poisonus, just being respectful to them is utmost important. I clean the tank daily, yes arms in, and I watch where he is. If on the left, I clean the right. I also don't move my hands quickly in the tank to alert him to a deffensive status. In time, like all the the other fish over the years... he'll get used to the daily cleaning as part of his daily routine. LOL, KING of the tank. Bow down to none. He does enjoy the company of a juvenile harlequin sweetlips in tight confines. Wierd but true.

Anyone with solid help to weening the diet from daily "snacks" would be greatly appreciated.