Adding Loinfish to my tank?

[roka64]

I will remove a few of my damsels. My LFS has a beautiful lionfish. Not sure if it is an Antennata or Volitan. Do you think this will work. I'm not sure which damsels to "trade-in" or give away to anyone in the WV/VA/MD/PA area. They are in good health and my LFS won't give me credit, (they are mean, but I still want them to be in a safe place). My bluse devil is usually the meanest, then only one of my 3 stripped is mean, and least mean is my yellow tails.

Any takers/suggestions/advice?

Thanks

[specialk]

Since there is a size difference in these two lions, what size tank do you have? How is your Filtration?

A Volitan grows very fast and reaches 12-15 inches in the first 18 months. Antennata Lions reach 7-9 inches and are slower growers. Either way they are very messy fish and your tank needs to be able to handle housing one of these lions.

Here are Two Good articles on lions.....

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i2...lionfishes.htm

Kaye

[roka64]

I was looking more at the Antennata. I have a fluvial 304 canister. All that stuff is under "my info", but here you go:
5 Gallon
304 Fluvial Canister
2 Yellow Tail Damsels
2 3 Stripped Damsels
1 Blue Devil Damsel
1 Forktail Blenny
1 pencil and pincushion urchins
6 Blue Leg Hermit Crab
About 50-60 LBs of LR
About 120 LBs of LS

Keep in mind, I an getting rid of the damsels, and the forktail blenny has a Venomous bite. If swallowed, he will bite the inside of the fish's mouth and be spit out.
I am also thinking about a pistol shrimp/goby combo. I am thinking about A clown and anemone.

[specialk]

A lion can swallow 1/2 it's body size, so even if it can not eat the Shrimp/goby & clown right now, it will grow fast enough to eventually eat them, These fish will be at risk if added with a lion.

Kaye

[roka64]

Sigh...that's what I figured. I was trying to avoid a species only tank. But I want a puffer too! LOL!! I suppose I'll have to break down and buy another tank. Would a puffer and Loin go together?

[Fluff]

I wouldn't put a lion and puffer together. Some people do it successfully but I've read alot of places where the puffer will nip the lions fins. You don't have to have a species only tank with a lion but in a tank where space is limited, it is normally best.

[specialk]

It is possible but risky, Puffers are known for picking at lions and can pick them to death, in turn a lion can sting a puffer and kill it. I keep both species in my 300g but I keep a close eye on the mix, the same applies to trigger and lion mix.


Kaye

[specialk]

Another problem is many puffers get large and the smaller puffers are known for nipping.....LOL


Kaye

[Fluff]

In a 300g system, I would probably try it too. And I've read that the smaller puffers like the sharpnose puffers, ones that would fit into a 55g, are actually more aggressive and prone to picking then the large puffers.

roka64, Kaye always gives great advice on lions, head her warnings, read the links she's given. She won't steer you wrong.

[Fluff]

lol I seem to be a bit slow this morning.