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

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by bulletsworld

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, 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.

If that guy treated his sting with hot water, he probably would have prevented a trip to the hospital. It's always good to know the first aid treatments for these types of things if you plan on keeping them.

I've been stung by corals many times and I remember at first I would tough it out and it would hurt real bad later on but eventually I smartened up and I now treat them with vinegar right after and I never have problems of the sort anymore.

[bulletsworld]

Originally Posted by sphelps

If that guy treated his sting with hot water, he probably would have prevented a trip to the hospital. It's always good to know the first aid treatments for these types of things if you plan on keeping them.

Originally Posted by bulletsworld

I have read in articles to stop the sting and pain to pour boiling 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.

Great minds think alike, as I did add this to my post while you must of posted.

Yes, I have read that before about the hot water, although I have no experiance with the treatment as I've never been stung as of yet and hope I never do. I do agree people should be aware of the first aid treatments for these fish.

[sphelps]

Not boiling water Just hot water (non-scalding, 100-110 degrees F)

Boiling water could make things much worse

[bulletsworld]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Not boiling water Just hot water (non-scalding, 100-110 degrees F)

Boiling water could make things much worse

EDIT: O.k not BOILING water. Thanks for the correction.


I found a good but short article on first aid for these fish.

"Lion Fish
Description
The lion-fish belongs to the Scorpion fish family.
This brightly coloured fish is usually found in coral reefs, especially in shallow waters hovering in caves or near crevices. Lion-fish have venomous fin spines that can produce painful puncture wounds.
Fatalities, however, are rare.

The fish have elongated dorsal fin spines and enlarged pectoral fins, and each species has a particular pattern of zebra like stripes.
A person punctured by one of the sharp spines will immediately feel strong pain. Rapid swelling of the affected body area develops along with the possibility of making movement of limbs very difficult. Lion-fish stings can cause nausea, breathing difficulties, paralysis, convulsions and collapse. Even death may occur in exceptional circumstances. Most people survive in spite of the great pain. The venom in the spines remains active for days, so even discarded spines should be treated with caution. It may take several months for a full recovery and if the sting is left untreated, gangrene may develop.


First Aid
At first immerse the affected area (most often a hand or foot) into hot water. This is thought to improve the blood flow and disperse the venom. Local anesthetic agents may provide deep relief in most cases and occasionally a nerve-block may be required. An X-ray of the wound should be performed to detect any presence of broken spines, so any possible infection can be prevented."



http://www.barrierreefaustralia.com/...f/lionfish.htm

[subman]

My lion was small when I added him and he grew up with the percs and the other small fish I don't think he see's them as food. The clowns were hosting in an anemone but have since moved to a torch I don't think they feel much stress from the lion.