Introducing small lionfish

[Anonymous]

I have been wanting to introduce two small lions into my 385ga system for a while now, but have held off until my 4 occi clowns grew a bit. Does anyone have a rule of thumb about safe sizing of lions vs other fish for example : 3" lion is safe with 1" fish or similar?: I am aware that the lions are fast growers, but I am already working on a predator tank of similar size to accomodate them when they outgrow the existing fish.

 

[SAreefer]

the best way to determine if they are too big is when your clowns starts to dissapear then you know your lionfish is too big.

 

[Anonymous]

"the best way to determine if they are too big is when your clowns starts to dissapear then you know your lionfish is too big."

:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
Thanks Francois 8O If I try that and it happens, I will be sleeping in my sump! GF loves the occis!

 

[LEEB]

I've kept Lions for many years and have several in my current set-up. The best way to determine if they're going be enticed in to eating the smaller fish is use the half-size rule that everyone speaks of ... this really does hold true. A 3" Lion would be very interested in a 1" fish. Depending on the character of the lion I wouldn't usually expect it not to have a go at them for a couple of days ... but once it gets used to its new tank and water levels etc it will soon gulp those down no problem. Just to clarify though, 3" including fins, or just the body length? If its fins included they'll be safe for a while.

I may be totally wrong as I've kept a couple of lions in the past that haven't touched my maroon clowns, but they have to be kept on real tight diets, and I guess the maroons get a little bigger than the average clown. Your tank size will certainly be in your favour - with all that territory up for grabs they may not show excessive aggression.

Lee

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input Lee. 3" was just by example, I can catch my own and wanted to get an idea how small they needed to be. I will watch and see if antone else has any input. A restaurant tank I saw on Friday has two enormous lions in it, huge fat things, and a heap of small fish as well- it also has a big moray so either they are doing it wrong or feeding heavily to compensate...thats what sparked the renewal of interest in the lions....

 

[Meloco14]

Partly depends on the species of lions. The dwarf species are mostly invertebrate eaters in their natural habitat, so the clowns might have a chance. The larger species like volitans will definitely eat the clowns. If you keep the lions very well fed the clowns would have a better chance, but there are no guarantees. A hungry lion will eat anything it can fit into it's large mouth. Personally, i wouldn't risk it. Good luck if you do.

 

[Anonymous]

Don't do it.

For one thing, aggression or territorial behavior has nothing to do with feeding behavior...at all...not even a little bit. Feeding behavior is something else altogether, and is a separate consideration completely. This is aside from the fact that lionfish are not normally territorial towards conspecifics let alone heterospecifics. In other words, they could care less about a few clowns in their vicinity. This is most of the time...nothing is all the time.

I've been keeping marine fish for several decades and change, and by this time I've seen just about everything, including Lions eating fish two thirds their own length, and groupers swallowing Lions that actually were their own length...the list goes on....

For another thing, these "dwarf" lions generally get big enough to easily swallow an occelaris clown at full adult size.
Also, these fish are nocturnal predators, and will cruise the entire tank looking for unwary prey, so territory doesn't come into play...you'll lose your clowns one night at 2:00 am 6 months from now.

Also, sometimes a fish can't quite manage swallowing another, but kills it in the effort...that's always a good one. :|

Bottom line, I would never do this as I know it's just a matter of time.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Jim and Meloco... I will wait for my predator tank before I catch some lions on the back of both of your advice.