Trigger and Lionfish-bad, bad tankmates

[barbianj]

Ran across this video from last year. We had bought a lionfish because the lfs had one with a queen and some other triggers, and they apperared to get along fine. The trigger mostly ignored the lion, but then started attacking it on and off. We thought that the trigger would learn his lesson the hard way and leave well enough alone. Even though the trigger had gotten stung on his mouth, his attacks increased, and they had to be separated before the lionfish was killed. It was too bad, because it was a beautiful fish and we had gotten him to eat frozen foods. Hated to see him go.

I later learned that the same thing happened to the queen and lionfish that were at the lfs. This is just a good exapmle why it is important to read these forums - to learn before you leap. Hope the video works right.

VIDEO (http://s136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/barbianj/?action=view&current=MVI_2067.flv)

[pbvid=http://vid136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/barbianj/MVI_2067.flv]

[danorth]

http://s136.photobucket.com/flash/player.swf?file=http://vid136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/barbianj/MVI_2067.flv

[danorth]

That won't last....

[barbianj]

It didn't. They were separated, then the lionfish was sold.

Does anyone know how to embed the video? I thought I did, but...

[LisaD]

That video should be a pinned post! Thank you for sharing. It says it better than all the posts recommending against keeping triggers and lionfish together.

[Recty]

I had never seen that one before. Definitely a good reason to not keep the two species together, I cant imagine that lionfish would last very long.

[barbianj]

After LisaD posted her photos, I took a look at my old Photobucket album and found that video.

The trigger was trying to bite the tips of the spines off.



http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/barbianj/IMG_2059.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/barbianj/IMG_2055.jpg

[LisaD]

I think I heard them snapping off in the video!

[lionfissh]

i have seen the combo done with a small trigger and larger lion but i suppose eventually the trigger will grow...

[LisaD]

even smaller triggers get as long as a volitan lionfish, and most get more aggressive as they get bigger/older.

also, even a larger lionfish is pretty defenseless against a determined trigger.

[Snapper66]

The Video That says it all

[karaim]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14066166#post14066166 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LisaD
even smaller triggers get as long as a volitan lionfish, and most get more aggressive as they get bigger/older.

also, even a larger lionfish is pretty defenseless against a determined trigger.

Unless it's a 9" lion and a 1" trigger, then trigger = lunch for lion :rollface:

[Wolverine]

I missed this before. Thanks for posting that, those pics will save me about a 1000 words several times a year. I'm glad you didn't let the trigger completely destroy the lionfish to drive the point home.

[stump1998]

How would a Lionfish do with a bluethroat trigger?

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14110774#post14110774 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stump1998
How would a Lionfish do with a bluethroat trigger?

Still a small risk, but they'll usually be OK.

[Joe-ness]

Its a shame to see this video, but itll definitly save the lives of some fish. Hopefully anyone considering pairing a lion and a trigger will watch and REALLY think about the outcome.

Thanks for the Video and pictures!

[stump1998]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14110805#post14110805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wolverine
Still a small risk, but they'll usually be OK.

What do you think about lions with large angels? I really want a lion and a queen angel. Those 2 fish are why I converted from fresh to salt.

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14115458#post14115458 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stump1998
What do you think about lions with large angels? I really want a lion and a queen angel. Those 2 fish are why I converted from fresh to salt.

It's not a good combination. They're not as aggressive as triggers going after the spines, but those things do look like tasty little treats to angelfishes.

[seahorsedreams]

That is an awesome video!

[BirkhoferFan15B]

I had a Niger Trigger with my lions, for about 1 1/2 yr problem free, mave just been luck

[zack1a]

Thats an awesome video, its really interesting to see the defensive behavior of the lion.
Thanks!

[Lonnie]

My blue jaw & lion get along fine. Hopefully they will continue to do so.

My clown is the one I have to watch out for.

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14411098#post14411098 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lonnie
My blue jaw & lion get along fine. Hopefully they will continue to do so.

My clown is the one I have to watch out for.

Bluejaws and nigers and other "upturned" triggers are much less likely to cause this kind of problem.

[hawkfishman]

queen triggers are one of the most aggresive fish, i've seen them eat right threw heater and pump cords! a blue jaw or niger would of worked much better with a lion.

[Fazulka]

Cool video! I have never seen a lion defending itself before, or really doing anything other than just kind of drifting around. It is cool to see how to moves and keeps its spines pointed for defense! Sucks that they don't work together, they are nice fish.

[nikesb4l]

Anyone else ever try to pet there triggerfish?

[danorth]

My niger would let me as if I was a cleaner....the clown trig does once in a while.

[nikesb4l]

I have a pinktail triggerfish, lionfish, panther grouper and a green wolf eel all about the same size and they get along good except they fight alittle over food. So far so good lol

[TriggerFreak1]

when do u think a trigger will go after a lion fish

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14670218#post14670218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TriggerFreak1
when do u think a trigger will go after a lion fish

It depends on the size of the fish, the type of trigger, and the size of the tank.

[hammolw]

Thanks for the video!
Very informative!

[wickedfish]

yup, dont mix a humu or clown with a lion. I see them slowly dismember a lion fish. First picking at its defense. Its tips and then slowly going in.

[Labman48076]

What do you think of a Dwarf Black Durgeon had him about 2 years and is about 6" thinking about either a lion fish or a puffer. so far the trigger is not aggressive the BD I had before this one let me pet him all the time fallowed me around too as I cleaned the tank or added corals.

[Lion_Babe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14670218#post14670218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TriggerFreak1
when do u think a trigger will go after a lion fish


I had someone put a clown trigger that was less than an inch long in my 180 gal reef LION tank. The trigger killed 5 of my lions (different types and sizes ranging from 3"-8") and a panther (8") in three days before I could get him out due to my rock work . It was a very sad, sad week. The trigger took bites out of the fish even though he was fed and eating well. He wasn't killing because he was hungry.

As far as petting my fish.....I have pet my Blackfoot Lionfish... and not the part that hurts. :rollface:

[crawfish in tx]

i have a 8 inch volitan lion a clown trigger dog face puffer and a huma huma, they seem to be happy as clams...ps for over a year

[Kat10091986]

I have a Red volitan lion, a picasso trigger, a niger trigger, an emperor angel and other fish in my tank. I have never had a single problem with any of them they all are doing fantastic. They are thriving and coexisting beautifully. Perhaps it's luck. I read on an earlier post about angels and triggers not getting along with lions thats why I found it interesting.

[namxas]

VERY cool vid!

just to weigh in, way in my early SW days, i kept a picasso with a voliton for about 6 years w/no trouble. however, even tho the lion was target fed regularly, it couldn't help joining the "feeding frenzy" when the other fish were fed. one day, the trigger decided to dive in front of the lion and got stung full on its side. i saw it twitch once and within 5 mins it was floating helplessly on the surface of the tank. it finally was able to make it to the bottom of the tank, and the effects wore off within an hour.

all seemed fine, but i lost the trigger shortly thereafter (within a month). was it related? somehow i feel i may have been, but i DID develop a new respect for lionfish venom. i had the trigger for about 6 years and the lion was with me for over 10 years.

the trigger tended to think it was boss of the tank, but i guess it got a taste of "don't mess with that funny-looking quiet kid next door".

[IMM3DOORSDOWN]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14131735#post14131735 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seahorsedreams
That is an awesome video!




hell yeeeeaaaa!!

[unleashed13]

i kept a smaller niger with vol lion the niger did aggravate my lion.. lion finally got fed up and stung him it took 1/2 hr of paralysis before the trigger died. they were in the same tank for over 2 yrs

[WuHT]

where exactly is the venom located...isn't the doral fin (the part where the queen is biting) venomous ?

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15062491#post15062491 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WuHT
where exactly is the venom located...isn't the doral fin (the part where the queen is biting) venomous ?

It's in glands in the base of the dorsal fins. The spines essentially act as syringes.

[evilspaz]

Glad both the fish ended up ok. Awesome vid.
as Much as I love Lions im just to big of a pansy to get one.
How do you acclimate a fish like that, float a bag? Net it?

[Labman48076]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15109169#post15109169 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by evilspaz
Glad both the fish ended up ok. Awesome vid.
as Much as I love Lions im just to big of a pansy to get one.
How do you acclimate a fish like that, float a bag? Net it?


I would never risk netting a lionfish they tend to get tied up in the net last thing you want to deal with is unhooking the spikes got stung once like that myself, not bad Though hurts like a really bad bee sting. Specimen Containers work best for releasing them as well as catching them when I work at a lfs btw it was a Volitan that stung me.

[Wolverine]

Definitely. Nets are a big no-no with lionfish.

[evilspaz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15109482#post15109482 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Labman48076
I would never risk netting a lionfish they tend to get tied up in the net last thing you want to deal with is unhooking the spikes got stung once like that myself, not bad Though hurts like a really bad bee sting. Specimen Containers work best for releasing them as well as catching them when I work at a lfs btw it was a Volitan that stung me. Wow man thats bad. Ive been thinking about getting a lionfish for my 220. But im wondering how I would acclimate large aggresive fish such as the lion. Right now I have a 40G with just like a pair clowns etc.

How I acclimate now is, float the bag, add some of my water in to the bag, feel if the temprature's are matched up, and then I pour them in to a net (getting none of the LFS water in to my tank) then put them in to the tank. Is this a bad method? I dont want to get LFS water in my tank, But do I have to?

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15110049#post15110049 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by evilspaz
Wow man thats bad. Ive been thinking about getting a lionfish for my 220. But im wondering how I would acclimate large aggresive fish such as the lion. Right now I have a 40G with just like a pair clowns etc.

How I acclimate now is, float the bag, add some of my water in to the bag, feel if the temprature's are matched up, and then I pour them in to a net (getting none of the LFS water in to my tank) then put them in to the tank. Is this a bad method? I dont want to get LFS water in my tank, But do I have to?

For lionfish, you really will end up getting a little store water in your tank. I use a specimen container rather than a net. I should say that I do this for most fish. I use a net as infrequently as possible, since lionfish are only one of the many fish that really shouldn't go into one.

[evilspaz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15110076#post15110076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wolverine
For lionfish, you really will end up getting a little store water in your tank. I use a specimen container rather than a net. I should say that I do this for most fish. I use a net as infrequently as possible, since lionfish are only one of the many fish that really shouldn't go into one. im seeing how to do this alot more clear now.

Thanks,

[augustasalty]

cool vid, yeah, queen triggers can be a pain, its not uncommon to have troubles between lionfish and triggers.

[deeboi]

i have triggers with clowns and lions so far so good, that guy has some nice triggers tho...the only funny thing is i seen the clarkiis trying to host in the lions fins...lols..

oh and i was gonna say if it was the other way around, the lions usually eat what can fit in there mouth..:(

[jayb12]

ive got a clown trig, lionfish and panther grouper in a 50 gal, all roughly 6" in length. tanks been runing since they are all 2" big and they all get along amazing, the trigger and grouper seem to enjoy rubbing up against one another and swimming side by side!
maybe i got lucky but my clown trig is a *****, he always lets the lion and panther eat first!

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15222378#post15222378 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jayb12
ive got a clown trig, lionfish and panther grouper in a 50 gal, all roughly 6" in length. tanks been runing since they are all 2" big and they all get along amazing, the trigger and grouper seem to enjoy rubbing up against one another and swimming side by side!
maybe i got lucky but my clown trig is a *****, he always lets the lion and panther eat first!

That tank is headed for trouble. Those fish will each individually outgrow a 50g.

[Gary Briggs]

hawkfishman is right - QUEEN TRIGGERS ARE A TERROR

[jayb12]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15226991#post15226991 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wolverine
That tank is headed for trouble. Those fish will each individually outgrow a 50g.
i have a 240 for them to step up into.

there was no need to raise 3 2" fish in a 240 gallon tank right away.

[angel_eyez84]

maybe we are just lucky but we have a 6-7 in volitan lion and a 4 in niger trigger in 1 of our 55 gal, and they are doing just fine and have been for the past yr or so....

[AWoodCT]

have my full grown dwarf lion and 3-4 triggers for the past year and havn't had any issues.

[sanchoy]

Will a Huma Huma fair well with a lionfish. I saw a 4 inch Huma living with a 6 inch lionfish at the LFS. I have a lion at home and was thinking about buying the Huma...

should I? being that the Huma behaved over there at the LFS. Anyone tried this combo before.

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15273724#post15273724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sanchoy
should I? being that the Huma behaved over there at the LFS. Anyone tried this combo before.

It's a terrible combination in the long term. The Rhinecanthus triggers are especially adept at picking lionfish apart.

[dnnor]

what i want to know is will the fins grow back???? my week old huma huma went crazy on my volitan lionfish (my 2nd favorite fish) and bit off quite a bit of it's fins b4 i got the huma out of the tank.

is there anything i can do for my lionfish to help in it's recovery?

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15441359#post15441359 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dnnor
what i want to know is will the fins grow back???? my week old huma huma went crazy on my volitan lionfish (my 2nd favorite fish) and bit off quite a bit of it's fins b4 i got the huma out of the tank.

is there anything i can do for my lionfish to help in it's recovery?

When I've seen this happen, the lionfish usually doesn't live very long anyway, so growing the fins back is not a concern. The best thing you can do is get them into separate tanks, and keep your water conditions perfect. Be ready to have a hospital tank set up if there are any signs of infection.

[SojuExp]

I had a red volitan that was about 5" when I introduced a 3" Picasso Trigger they always did good together until the Lion got bigger and went after a krill at the same time the trigger did. Sucked him right into his mouth about half way I was freaking. He finally spit him out the Trigger was never the same thou. Feeding time he would zoom up to the top get the food and go hide. eventually the Lion outgrew the tank and I traded him for a Porcupine Puffer after about a day or two they got the feel for each other and get along just fine. Hes still skiddish as hell though

[CorbetJackson50]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15445504#post15445504 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wolverine
When I've seen this happen, the lionfish usually doesn't live very long anyway, so growing the fins back is not a concern. The best thing you can do is get them into separate tanks, and keep your water conditions perfect. Be ready to have a hospital tank set up if there are any signs of infection.

I have a huma huma and a black volitan in a 150g the first time i fed them after introducing the trigger the trigger bit two of the lions "spines" off his pectoral fin. The trigger then went and hid in the rock work for about an hour. He was breathing heavily and i thought the trigger was going to die. In the end the lion grew his fins back and the trigger never screwed with him again. The two now live together peacefully.

P.S. Both fish have been about the same size as eachother since they were introduced. They are both around 6"-7" now.

[lordofthereef]

Ouch!

[Tangsreef302]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14163420#post14163420 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BirkhoferFan15B
I had a Niger Trigger with my lions, for about 1 1/2 yr problem free, mave just been luck same here i have a dwarf lion and a niger in a 75 gal never had a problem not all triggers are as nasty as a queen or clown.

[aquanic]

I keep my lionfish to himself in a highly filtered 20g. Only a little goldfish everyday, for company. He seems fine about it.

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15732490#post15732490 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquanic
I keep my lionfish to himself in a highly filtered 20g. Only a little goldfish everyday, for company. He seems fine about it.

Two problems I see here. Long term, that tank is too small for a lionfish. The general claim is that they don't swim around much, however, IMO, that's only true when you leave them in small tanks. In large tanks, they tend to be much more active.

Second problem is the diet. Goldfish aren't good for lionfish. There's a compound in the goldfish that the lionfish liver is unable to breakdown, which ultimately leads to liver failure, and an early death.

[HUNTINREDNECK]

i have them togeather for over a year no problmes

[HUNTINREDNECK]

but my lion is 3x his size

[Exiledonmainstr]

A queen trigger makes a clown trigger look like a goby. I had a friend who kept a queen that was about 20" or so in a 500 gallon glass aquarium. The queen repeatedly rammed it's head into the side of the aquarium and actually ruptured a panel. It tore up the intake siphons, ate through powerhead cords and when they tried covering them with thick rubber tubing, it simply stripped the rubber and bit through the cords again. I have been attacked by these beasts on the reef as well. They are absolutely gorgeous but like the clown best left on the reef.

[Diablo4]

Crosshatch triggers are considered " upturned " ? Thus being a more reasonable tankmate than my blueline. ? What classifies them as upturned? I keep a star trigger. Allso a bluline. Not together. Never tried. Wouldn't want to risk either fish. However I want a lion. And my buddy just got in two large crosshatch triggers. Offered me one as he added his to the display tank. " can't ask for anything more than first Dibs on a fish like that ". I was most impressed to see two ten inch males. I have pics but I just signed up in here tonight.

[Patrick12]

Queen triggers are really destined to be sole tank residents. I have not seen any that grew up without eating everyone else in the tank. Undulatus are the same way. Those breeds are just bad boys.

[Diablo4]

Anyone else ever try to pet there triggerfish?

Yes he eats from my fingertips. Blueline.

[Exiledonmainstr]

"Upturned" is how the niger and the crosshatch's mouths are. They do not have the regular mouths that clowns, undulated, queens have. It is harder for them to do they're damage that way.

[Wolverine]

Crosshatch triggers are considered " upturned " ? Thus being a more reasonable tankmate than my blueline. ? What classifies them as upturned?

The shape of the mouth is the key. The triggers with more upturned mouths are primarily planktivores, so they're much less likely to pick on corals and such.

I would definitely not recommend putting a lionfish with a queen trigger.

[Diablo4]

Thank you I figured it was somthing with the snout. I noticed the rounded jaw of the sargassum Niger pinktail bluejaw ect. Never heard them called up turned. Thanks for the info

[limitdown]

The relative size is the problem. I have triggers, but they're small compared to my other fish.

[marine buoy]

for what its worth ....ive had a picasso trigger and a volitans lion in the same 6ft tank for 2.5 yrs now . the lion is approx 9 inches and the trigger 5.

[marine buoy]

for what its worth ....ive had a picasso trigger and a volitans lion in the same 6ft tank for 2.5 yrs now . the lion is approx 9 inches and the trigger 5.
thay were introduced at the same time( which makes a difference,) and i have never had any trouble from either of them .

[Suzukibusa06]

I always wanted a clown trigger along with Angels and lions. I have been doing some reseach and I am getting ready to add some more fish. I really like the Sargassum Triggerfish. Sure I would love to have a clown but I have heard to many horror stories about them. Are their any Sargassum Owners out there that could tell me more about them?
I have Emperor, Harqulein Tusk,Golden puffer,purple tang,Zebra Moray(3+ft) and tiny Snowflake. All get along well now in my 180. I want to add the trigger,queen angel, lion, and a few tangs to my 540 here after the first of the year. I will keep a watch on the angels towards the lion. I shouldn't have to worry tough about the sargassum trigger though at least.

[zackdastack]

not a good idea

[Labman48076]

I always wanted a clown trigger along with Angels and lions. I have been doing some reseach and I am getting ready to add some more fish. I really like the Sargassum Triggerfish. Sure I would love to have a clown but I have heard to many horror stories about them. Are their any Sargassum Owners out there that could tell me more about them?
I have Emperor, Harqulein Tusk,Golden puffer,purple tang,Zebra Moray(3+ft) and tiny Snowflake. All get along well now in my 180. I want to add the trigger,queen angel, lion, and a few tangs to my 540 here after the first of the year. I will keep a watch on the angels towards the lion. I shouldn't have to worry tough about the sargassum trigger though at least.


this is a future horror story! your tank is too aggressive for sargassum trigger they are basically pacifist.

[Pee-Wee]

so my future plans of a niger and a lion in a 90 should be fine as long as i rehome the humu humu before getting the lion

[evojoe67]

I've got a Picasso with my Volitains and Fu Manchu Lionfish and the Picasso is a major nipper!
I'm upgrading to a 210 and am seriously considering getting rid of the Picasso.

[coralnewbee]

have two lions the size of basketballs ,i would like to see that trigger in my tank,,,,

[Wolverine]

have two lions the size of basketballs ,i would like to see that trigger in my tank,,,,

That would make it even easier, because the fins are more spread apart, so it would have plenty of room to get in there to pick them to pieces.

[barbianj]

That would make it even easier, because the fins are more spread apart, so it would have plenty of room to get in there to pick them to pieces.

And that trigger is now over 14". :beer:

[Dorsal]

Years ago, I had a full grown lion - he was about 13" nose to tail. I'd had him since he was about 6"' and it took him 2-3 years to get that big. His tank mates for years were 3 yellow tangs and 3 domino damsels, all kept in a 90. One day he just decided to have lunch on the damsels and not long after that the tangs. Long story short is your mileage might vary with whatever you put in the tank with them.

[plancton]

Is this a normal behaviour of triggers with lionfish?, or this is a particulary bad case?. What would happen if you keep one lionfish + one clown trigger?.

[Wolverine]

Is this a normal behaviour of triggers with lionfish?, or this is a particulary bad case?. What would happen if you keep one lionfish + one clown trigger?.

Unfortunately, this is a very common occurence with the combination of triggerfish with lions. What makes this one so unique is the video of it.

[Stuart60611]

Unfortunately, this is a very common occurence with the combination of triggerfish with lions. What makes this one so unique is the video of it.

Curious if this holds true with all genus of triggerfish. I have read that others have had success keeping, for example, xanthichthys triggers, like saragassum, blue throat, or crosshatch triggers with lions without issue. Any thoughts on this?

[Wolverine]

Curious if this holds true with all genus of triggerfish. I have read that others have had success keeping, for example, xanthichthys triggers, like saragassum, blue throat, or crosshatch triggers with lions without issue. Any thoughts on this?

Those triggers are much less likely to do it (I'm sure that's been mentioned somewhere in these 4 pages).

[Narazbad]

I have been very lucky with my tanks, I have always had a Volitan with triggers. Currently I have a Niger and Clown (juvenile) housed with a juvenile Red Coriss Wrasse, Snowflake eel and 6" Lion. Everyone is peaceful *knock on wood*, the clown is even the baby of the tank. A little sweetheart he is.

[Christopher84]

I have been very lucky with my tanks, I have always had a Volitan with triggers. Currently I have a Niger and Clown (juvenile) housed with a juvenile Red Coriss Wrasse, Snowflake eel and 6" Lion. Everyone is peaceful *knock on wood*, the clown is even the baby of the tank. A little sweetheart he is.

Yea clowns always start out nice, once they get big though they can very easily be a ticking time bomb. I have seen and herd "IDK what happened, I just woke up and he was the only fish left alive" more than once.

[nd31male]

glad i read this i was going to get a lion not not more unless i set up a 4th tank

[jrivera]

I have a big lion fish an undulated trigger and picasso trigger in a 300 and everyone gets along fine

[vamaro]

I keep cross hatch triggers (pair). This is my second set. They are so peaceful. I am not into lion fish but I keep a threadfin snapper, stingrays and an epaulette in there. Never any nipping or aggression at all. They do not even eat shrimps. My only concern with keeping a cross hatch with a lion is an accidental sting to the cross hatch would be an expensive lesson.

[namxas]

I keep cross hatch triggers (pair). This is my second set. They are so peaceful. I am not into lion fish but I keep a threadfin snapper, stingrays and an epaulette in there. Never any nipping or aggression at all. They do not even eat shrimps. My only concern with keeping a cross hatch with a lion is an accidental sting to the cross hatch would be an expensive lesson.

Planktonic-feeding triggers such as the cross-hatch are generally fine with lions. Genera Xanthichthys, Melicthys, and Odonus should all be OK with lionfish.

[Brentley25]

very cool

[StephLionfish]

Such a shame. In my experience lionfish are more peaceful than people give them credit for.

[sacremon]

Lionfish are very peaceful. I tell people that lionfish classify things into three categories:

1) Things that move that fit in their mouth are food.
2) Things that move that do not fit in their mouth are irrelevant.
3) Things that do not move are for perching on while waiting for food to swim by.

As long as it isn't food, the worst that they will do to something is sit on it (which includes corals that wish they would find somewhere else to sit).

[danielbui23]

I recently did this mixture without reading this thread. I bought a Red Tailed Trigger and a two different types of Lionfish. I purchased a Russell's Lionfish along with a Black Volitan. Both overly stressed due to the Trigger's constant nipping and both finally gave in.

[KRBNSOL]

a LONG time ago I had a humu trigger and a lion fish in the same tank and had this same thing happen to me. Wish I would have know then what is on this forum now. Then again...I think this happended BEFORE the internet was around!:p

[zhewitt04]

Removed Post.

[Bubbaboy]

Where Is vid?

[james-lee]

Wow crazy video! Never thought a trigger would be that aggressive towards a venomous fish.

[APBonds]

A eles are also bad tank mates. The frilly side fins look like taste treats to them. I lost my hawiian lion to a carriabean eel. It was sold back to my lfs as soon as I was able to trap it.

[jenn33426]

I had a niger trigger , 2 clown triggers and a dwarf lion all in the same tank. Never had a problem. The triggers weren't very big though. Maybe 4 inches.

[phill21]

I got a niger trigger and a dwarf with a fu manchu can they be introducted all at once

[danielbui23]

If you insist on getting all of those, then introduce the Niger last.

[matt randazzo]

Are triggers ok with other scorpion fish??? here would be some examples if you dont know what scorps are... http://www.lionfishlair.com/gregandreneegallery/galleryfront.shtml

[danielbui23]

Same principle as the Lion and trigger housed together.

[rayn]

Almost got a hums picasso tonight till I remembered this thread. Thanks for saving me the headache.

[Dragon moray ki]

I have had luck with a small Niger and a radiate lion fish
But I have had a queen trigger bite me and a lion fish while scubadivind in central America

[ultraxr]

I have an Antennata lionfish and introduced a pair of Bluejaw triggerfish (~ 3.5" each) about 1.5 months later. The triggers pay no mind to my lion, which is only ~2.5" right now. Then again, Bluejaws/throats aren't as aggressive like most triggers.

[evilss]

queens cant be trusted. most of them turn from all i have heard,

[StephLionfish]

Someone turned this guy into the LFS cause others were picking on it. Who wants to bet it was a trigger or puffer?
http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g339/Stephnp023/1315030702.jpg
I saved up to buy him, but by the time I went for him, he was sold. I felt so bad for the poor guy...I'd have bought him right then, had I had the money.

I can't stand when I tell someone that Triggers and Lionfish are bad tank mates, and they say " I have a clown trig in with mine, and they do great together" or " I have a Humu Humu Trigger with my lionfish, no probs"
Two LFS's currently have a Clown trigger with a Volitans... I told them both what will happen, and they completely blew me off.:mad2:

[2reefnutz]

I got a lionfish now that someone gave me to try and save after a trigger beat him up pretty bad. He won't eat and when I picked him up the water he was in was 68 degrees. Trying to nurse him back to health and find him a new home.....

[MMsting]

I can't stand when I tell someone that Triggers and Lionfish are bad tank mates, and they say " I have a clown trig in with mine, and they do great together" or " I have a Humu Humu Trigger with my lionfish, no probs" Two LFS's currently have a Clown trigger with a Volitans... I told them both what will happen, and they completely blew me off.:mad2:

That sucks that he wasn't there when you were finally ready to buy him, as far as them blowing you off, I guess then karma will get it right? They'll just lose their merchandise but it's sad because then they'll tell people it's fine to keep these two together and disaster will strike. Dummies. :rolleyes:

[Frost3839]

I have a clown trigger and 2 lions for about a year now. No probelms ever. The trigger nips at my ribbon eels though :(. He only nips at there tails. But no problem with the lions. I have one small lion and one larger lion. The trigger is the size of the smaller lion and they dont bother each other one bit. In a 180g tank though.

[Wolverine]

But no problem with the lions. I have one small lion and one larger lion. The trigger is the size of the smaller lion and they dont bother each other one bit.

So far.
As they run out of room in a tank that size, you're likely to eventually run into trouble.

[namxas]

I have an Antennata lionfish and introduced a pair of Bluejaw triggerfish (~ 3.5" each) about 1.5 months later. The triggers pay no mind to my lion, which is only ~2.5" right now. Then again, Bluejaws/throats aren't as aggressive like most triggers.

The blue throat and other planktonic-feeding triggers generally make good tankmates for lionfish.

As for other triggers, some folks get away with it, but most don't. Nobody is as nuts about Scorpaeniformes as me, but I have to admit that way back before anyone knew, I kept an adult volitans with a picasso trigger and a porc puffer for several years with no issues. In this case, the lion was added first, but in a "feeding frenzy" the picasso ended up nailing itself on the lion's dorsals, became completely paralyzed (we're talking floating on the surface), and altho it appeared to recover, it died within a month.

So I guess the moral of the story is that it can end badly for either fish, but it's usually the lion that takes the abuse.

[xpertrifle]

I have 6 in Picasso and a Niger. They have been living in my tank with two large volitons for about a year. There were no problems until I introduced a 4 foot zebra moray eel, they were picking at him a bit. I only say two small fin nips, but thats enough for me. Those bastards are in the sump until i can find them a good home.

[Harriscli]

Hard to watch that video. I can't see fish put into situations where their nature is more powerful than their owners planning.

[rsl3]

Awesome video! A friend of mine has a 10 inch lionfish with a 6 inch niger and they have been together for over 4 years without a single problem.

[namxas]

Awesome video! A friend of mine has a 10 inch lionfish with a 6 inch niger and they have been together for over 4 years without a single problem.

O. niger is a planktonic-feeding/pelagic trigger, and generally speaking, planktonic-feeders are fine with lionfish.

[xpertrifle]

My Niger trigger killed a porcupine puffer about his size. Bad news fish.

[OceanInAbox]

My clown trigger and volitans lion have been fine together for over a year in a 180 gallon. Keeping my fingers crossed, as most triggers are bipolar.

[xris]

what would good tank mates be for lionfish? My brother wants to put a porcupine puffer in with one. :p idk how that will go...

[namxas]

what would good tank mates be for lionfish? My brother wants to put a porcupine puffer in with one. :p idk how that will go...

Tank size and lionfish species?

[Bikermike]

My Niger tiger gets along great with my lion fish

[EHGobie]

my humu trigger got along fine with my lion but i arrived home 1 day from a store and saw my snowflake dragging my lion around by its tail and was dead within 5 mins.

[namxas]

SFE get mean when they get some size on them...typically around 18" - 20", IME. A sleeping lionfish is easy prey for an eel.

[Delta111444]

well i cant watch the video, but i know someonewho has kept a pinktail trigger and dwarf lion togther ( going to attempt the same thing):frog:

[namxas]

Triggerfish of the genera Xanthicthys, Odonus, and Melicthys are planktonic-feeding pelagic triggers and generally do fine with lionfish. It's the "reef" triggers (Ballistes, Rhinecanthus, Ballestoides) that generally cause the problems, so hearing that O. niger (niger trigger) and M. vidua (pinktail trigger) are doing well, it doesn't surprise me.

Just trying to help keep the facts straight...

[srf11]

My bluejaw and the volitans get along great

[Rapide]

Well... I had to learn this the hard way.
Odonus niger caused the death of my Pterois antennata. Found the antennata dead this morning...
The trigger first took the "antenna" from above the lions right eye, snacked it's tail and bite the lions venomous spikes.
For a few days everything seemed to be fine, the eye antenna started to heal, and the tail started to heal too.
Last night everything was fine as I went to sleep. This morning the lion was dead. It had lost it's left eye and had bad bite marks in it's right side :(
The trigger also stole the lions food and was quite aggressive towards it while feeding.
I had been warned that there might come trouble. Not going to get another lion...
Can't recommend these fishes to be kept together.

[Jsamper]

Sorry to hear that I recently acquired a small O. Niger specimen from my friend who is leaving the hobby he is currently in the QT I am definitely having second thoughts on keeping him.

[Allan12]

I have pink tail, Niger, clown, blue throat, bursa, Picasso triggerfish and they never bother Leo my Volitan lionfish.

[hkarmy25]

I had a picasso and a volitan together for over a year with no trouble what-so-ever. The picasso had even been returned to the lfs 3 times before i bought it b/c it was just too aggressive. Guess i just got lucky.

[namxas]

Back in the "old days" before anyone knew any better, I kept a picasso and a porc puffer with P. volitans, the lion was established first, so that's probably how I got away with it.

However, the lion ended up killing the picasso when the picasso tried to swoop in to snag the lion's piece of food. It miscalculated, and impaled itself on the lion's dorsal spines. The trigger was completely paralyzed within about 5 mins (we're talking floating helplessly on the surface on its side). It made a "semi" recovery but was dead within a month (I had kept the fish several years).

[srf11]

I've had a lion mixed with a trigger in 2 tanks (with a gap of 15 years between the tanks), but never had 1 issue at all in this regards.

[Frost3839]

I had a clown trigger and 2 large lions with no problems. clown trigger beat up a lot of things in my tank. but never touched the lions

[wyoung609]

What about housing planktonic feeding triggers of different a species i.e. sargassum and blue throat or crosshatch all in the same tank?

[Wolverine]

What about housing planktonic feeding triggers of different a species i.e. sargassum and blue throat or crosshatch all in the same tank?

In a very large tank it can be done. If there's not enough room, those usually well-behaved fish will show their "trigger" side.

[cichlidsrcool]

I had a Lion and Niger Trigger years ago with No issues

[alpineroush]

I want to get a 240 fowler and was wanting a niger and lion. in what order do i put them in the tank do to domination.

[namxas]

Lionfish first...be sure its established, conditioned, and weaned before it has any distractions.

[tigerfan90]

We have a 265 gallon with a volitan, clown trigger and porcupine puffer.... so far so good .... but all were bought at same time and same size .... the clown trigger is more aggressive than clowns I have had in the past but he seems to leave those guys well enough alone.

[namxas]

Hope you don't have any trouble, but this is what normally happens:

Lionfish vs Triggerfish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nRB_bQK2Z8)

[stk731]

I have clown trigger, lion, and porc puffer no problems

[stk731]

Had a porc puffer and lionfish together no problems until the yellowhead moray made a snack of the lion

[SantaMonica]

I did not know about this bad combo till now.

[boakley]

Thanks for the post. Wanted to set up an aggressive tank with these two but I guess not now

[brilanna]

I feel like this is a perfect topic, as I woke up the other morning to find my dwarf lionfish dead and my niger trigger pretty beat up

[brilanna]

Now I didn't see them fight, but can only assume the trigger killed the lion, and the trigger was stung / injured and got picked at over night

[namxas]

Nigers are "iffy" with lionfishes, even tho they aren't true "reef" triggers. Xanthicthys sp. are about the best with lionfishes, as they're planktonic feeders.

[Daniel Machado]

Would a buffalo trunkfish, Lactophrys trigonus, be a good tankmate for lions in a 200g tank?

And what about a clown filefish, Cantherhines macrocerus?

I have the chance to get both in a nice size but don't want to risk my lions' health.

Best regards.

Daniel.

[bryanr]

Glad I saw this I was about to look into a lionfish to go with my 5" pink tail

[demo07dn]

what would be a good companion for a lion fish?

[sharklover567]

That is an awesome video!

Love your quote from Budhha.Kind of describes what I'm going through on this forum.

[nathan1986]

I know what people say how its bad and what not, maybe I lucked out but I had a huma huma trigger, porcupine puffer, dwarf fuzzy lion and antenna lion in the same tank for 2 years. didn't have one issue aside from the trigger being the more dominate when it came to feeding time. I think it all depends on the fishies personality

[saltwater665]

I would love to see your video but a message comes up that video no longer available.
I have had a Picasso trigger and my lion in a 150 gal tank for over a year. They both have grown to be large. My lion was great last night but when I came into work today I saw the trigger attack my lion. He had already eaten most of his fins and he started to eat the top of his head.
I do not understand what happened. They were always so happy together.
Then I saw all the posts. Learned something new today.
I moved him to another tank and I pray he will survive.

[humaguy]

sadly, a bad combo...read and research as much as possible....
hope the lion is okay...

[hossa81]

Really sucks, because both of them are beautiful fish

[Pslreefer]

Its NOT a bad combo, just a BAD rumor...

[Pslreefer]

I know what people say how its bad and what not, maybe I lucked out but I had a huma huma trigger, porcupine puffer, dwarf fuzzy lion and antenna lion in the same tank for 2 years. didn't have one issue aside from the trigger being the more dominate when it came to feeding time. I think it all depends on the fishies personality



Exactly I’ve had a Picasso and blue jaw triggers with porcy puffers, lion, and an idol.

The whole issues came about from feeding and ppl thinking it’s going after a lions fins when they are just aggressive eaters.

[Pslreefer]

Hope you don't have any trouble, but this is what normally happens:

Lionfish vs Triggerfish (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nRB_bQK2Z8)



It’s establishing dominance not going after its fins...

[Wolverine]

Exactly I’ve had a Picasso and blue jaw triggers with porcy puffers, lion, and an idol.

The whole issues came about from feeding and ppl thinking it’s going after a lions fins when they are just aggressive eaters.

bluejaws are easy, and that's a different story.
I've seen too many triggers chew down all the fins on lionfish. Yes, you can get away with it sometimes, or for some time, but most of the time it's a bad idea.

[humaguy]

bluejaws are easy, and that's a different story.
I've seen too many triggers chew down all the fins on lionfish. Yes, you can get away with it sometimes, or for some time, but most of the time it's a bad idea.What Wolverine said and has been repeated a few times in different posts. Good luck

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