Show Us Your Lionfish

[namxas]

There are quite a few threads out there regarding lionfish, so I thought that we could use a thread with nothing but nice pix of them. Post 'em up lion tamers!

Pterois mombassae (Mombasa Lionfish)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/mom700.jpg


Parapterois heterura (Bluefin Lionfish)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/blackfoot700.jpg


Dendrochirus barberi (Green/Hawaiian Lionfish

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/hawaiiancanihaz700.jpg


D. biocellatus (Fu Manchu Lionfish

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/fuhappy700.jpg


D. brachypterus (Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish)

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/yellowfuzz.jpg


And last, but certainly not least...

P. volitans

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/lionfishnewtank700.jpg

[jarrod13]

How do you post pics like that, the only way I know how is to put them as thumbnails? I don't have a photobucket account but I can make one if I need to

[namxas]

We have so many pix that we have to use photobucket just to keep them straight (Renee has a "pro" account). it also helps as many forums require the pix to be hosted.

[hobogato]

great pics greg!

[namxas]

Thanx Ace...I know you have some pix too...post 'em up.

[sacremon]

Presently my new lions are in quarantine at the LFS. They came in about a week and a half ago. I normally won't be too concerned about anything coming in with lions, but I had flukes hit my tank and wipe out all but two fish - my rabbitfish and zebra moray. The holding tank has some sponges growing on the sides, hence the spots in the photos.

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/417/417324/folders/306343/2457438volitans.jpg


http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/417/417324/folders/306343/2457439radiata.jpg

[Everyones Hero]

Lola the Zebra Lion (RIP):
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/notabassist31/Aquariums/0901090025b.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/notabassist31/Aquariums/th_0310100031b.jpg (http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/notabassist31/Aquariums/?action=view&current=0310100031b.mp4)

It took awhile to get her onto prepared foods but she was my favorite fish. So beautiful with so much personality. Lost her in a fish sitting incident.

[FMarini]

Everyones Hero-
Sorry about Lola the lionfish.

it was a Pterois mombassae lion (devil lion), and not a zebra lion (D. zebra)

[Fibinotchi]

Finally got around to taking pictures, but my lens and photo skills don't compare to yours Greg. Here they are. A Zebra, Fuzzy, and Antennata.
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/GBreefJay/Lionfish/IMG_4405.jpg
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/GBreefJay/Lionfish/IMG_4401.jpg
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/GBreefJay/Lionfish/IMG_4400.jpg
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/GBreefJay/Lionfish/IMG_4399.jpg
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/GBreefJay/Lionfish/IMG_4398.jpg
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/GBreefJay/Lionfish/IMG_4391.jpg
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/GBreefJay/Lionfish/IMG_4388.jpg

[Everyones Hero]

Thanks for that info. I really want to get another one but I don't know if I have the time to commit to weening another one onto prepared foods.

[hobogato]

wow! great pics guys. really like that antennata

just have one now myself, got it at less than 3", but it is growing fast...

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hobogato/aggressive%20reef/DSC07106.jpg

[johnpeezy]

Flapjack RIP

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e198/johnpeezy/decent%20SW%20pics/flapjack/100_0086.jpg

[jarrod13]

here are mine. the first two I currently still have. the other ones are some of my previous lions.
yellow fuzzy
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/grodm13/SDC12351.jpg
what are you looking at
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/grodm13/SDC12352.jpg
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/grodm13/SDC11995.jpg
Pterois mombassae, I had to use flash because the tank he is in is barely lit until I build a new canopy for mh's
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/grodm13/SDC12355.jpg
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/grodm13/SDC12354.jpg

this is my old mombassae, he was probably the most electric red fish i have ever seen
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/grodm13/lionfish095.jpg
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/grodm13/lionfish049.jpg
my old fuzzy that went carpet surfing, raised this guy from a small baby
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/grodm13/lionfish086.jpg
a different fuzzy
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/grodm13/SDC10347.jpg

hope you enjoy (I suck at taking pics)

[klink67]

Nice! I used to have a huge volitans that was my favorite fish of all time. It would always come to the top of my tank and get hand fed. I had to downsize to my 12 gallon so I had to sell him.

What do think has a better or similar personality to a volitans? I was looking at a fu manchu or a fuzzy dwarf. I would like to get one that is bold like my last lion.

[jarrod13]

Fuzzy for sure

[klink67]

Since I have an open top tank do you think the lion would jump out? My volitans never jumped when I had an open top on my 55 gallon. The fuzzzy would be the only fish in the tank.

[namxas]

Fuzzies can, and do jump, so a cover is a great idea.

Jarrod,

Your yellow fuzzy is lookin' sweet, and the P. mombassae is just a super fish...it's easy to be a lion-nut, isn't it? I know what you mean about the Mombasa being "electric red"...they truly look like candy canes, don't they?

[piscivorous]

Is this it for photos of lions?

[namxas]

Is this it for photos of lions?

Since you insist...

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/friendswha700.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/new700.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/lionandfriends700.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/friends700.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/lionhappy700.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/fuman700.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/female.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/stare700.jpg


Feel free to add some of your own...

[Everyones Hero]

Wow, these are some beautiful fish. I really want to get another one but I don't know if I have the time to commit to weening another one & if I want to take the risk of having one starve in the process.

[namxas]

Hero,

A lion can go quite awhile without eating, but the way we wean fish we feed them live ghosties or guppies to establish the fact that they're eating (1-4 weeks, depending on the fish's condition and "willingness" to eat), then try weaning for a week or so. If the fish is stubborn, it gets a few live meals, to keep its weight up, then the process starts again. This is pretty much the routine until the fish is weaned...we never stop trying.

[sacremon]

Why guppies instead of black mollies? Ease/cost of the fish? I recall that guppies can be acclimated to salt, but don't fare as well as black mollies do.

[drainbamage101]

Gorgeous Rhino up there-one of my dream fish someday

here's a couple of my fuzzy dwarf who chills in my reef tank. Got him when he was too small to eat whole PE mysis shrimp, and have had him since. always been on frozen foods.

http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy169/brianthebraden/General%20Tank%20Pictures/LionFragRack4.jpg
http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy169/brianthebraden/General%20Tank%20Pictures/LionFragRack5.jpg

[namxas]

She's (definitely a female) a sweetie, 'bamage.

Yeah, Rhinos have always been a "holy grail" fish for me...

[drainbamage101]

how can you tell gender? If it's a girl I can't get as grumpy when my girlfriend calls her Fluffy...

[Fibinotchi]

I think less than six strips on the pectoral fins mean female but Greg knows his lions.

[FMarini]

bamage---
w/ dwarf fuzzys and D. barberi its straightforward.
Read here
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-11/fm/feature/

"Adult male Dwarf fuzzy lions are readily identified by having a larger head, longer pectoral fins (the fin tips reach past the caudal peduncle), and have between 6 to 10 bands (or stripes) on their pectoral fins. Female Dwarf fuzzy lionfish have only 4 to 6 stripes."

[drainbamage101]

thanks for the info, good to know!

[namxas]

Just to clarify, it's the dark bands that you count. I've had several folks ask me "which" bands everyone refers to. With the "6-banders", which is the "cross-over" number, you usually need to wait until the fish gets a bit older to check it's pectoral length and head size.

Frank,

I was going to quote your article, but you saved me the trouble! :)

[FMarini]

Only if they read it.....

Thanks Greg-
BTW- are you guys finally set up

[Jhockey]

Since this is the thread of the lionfish experts, hopefully no one will mind a little question. Can someone explain the differences in red and black volitan lionfish? I've heard black volitans can turn into red ones? The lionfish in question is at my LFS, here is a pic:
http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b417/johnnybigshot/IMG_9960.jpg
I LOVE the black body/fins (but I think that means he's stressed?) But his head is lighter. So that has me worried, will it change to a red or keep its dark black lines? Thanks for the help.

[FMarini]

the difference between black and "red" morph P volitans is color. They are found in slightly different locales, but its the same fish-either red or black.
Just to make it more confusing..... many folks get P russells confused w/ P volitans and Russells lions are a reddish brown(never black), and another Volitans family member- P miles tend to be "darker" color than a standard red volitans.

in regards to color changes, more like the fish can lighten or darken their colors. I've seen black p volitan turn lighter- but never red, and red P volitans turn darker, but never black.

Lastly, in regards to your picts-- its a stunning volitans-looks like the red form to me

[Jhockey]

Thanks for the informative response Frank! Bummer that one is a red, its labeled as a black. I can see hues of red on the face tho, even tho the body is dark as night. Oh well, the search continues.

I looked P niles, devil firefish, on Wikipedia, and they described that as the common black lionfish while P volitans is the common red. Often the two get intertwined. Seems like niles has more fan like fins while volitans aren't as thick? These are just my observings. I guess they don't know that volitans can be in either red or black. I like the dark colors of the niles, but not so much the frilly fans. I like the sharp needle looking fins like the one I posted.

[me_reef_geek]

black volitan I had a few years back notice how the fins are thin and come strait to a point (I was told a true black) and in the second pic it has white spots on its fins I have never seen this on a red volitan
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r16/gotareef/bv3.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r16/gotareef/bv1.jpg

and red volitan
the fins kind of curl at the tips
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r16/gotareef/IMG_1739.jpg

[Jhockey]

I definitely have noticed red volitans have moire fluffy curled fins while blacks are more straight and pointy. I gotta find a black volitan! Hopefully soon I can join the club.

[namxas]

Another thing I can mention is that when our P. volitans was a juvie/sub-adult, its pectoral rays were straight, but developed that "curl" at the end as the fish matured. IME, lions (esp. P. volitans) "grow into" their fins, and the fish definitely do change a bit as they mature.

These pix are the same fish as a super small juvie and as an adult:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/lionandfriends700.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/volitan%20tank/angelpost.jpg

[BPro32]

Unfortunately, the only pictures I have of my dwarf lions are from a camera phone. I have since sold them and broke down my 65g.

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww206/leyva619/Lions.jpg

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww206/leyva619/FuzzyDwarf.jpg

[Jhockey]

Is it me greg or does the juvi look red and the adult black?

[seahorsedreams]

It's just the picture.

[reeftanker3295]

My fuzzy dwarf...
http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy243/sitheria/DSC02035.jpg

[Mental1]

Cool Fu pic....




http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=265&pictureid=23245

[Jhockey]

I finally got one! Woohoo! A nice 4" black volitan. I have to ween him onto frozen prepared foods though, any tips?

[drainbamage101]

I finally got one! Woohoo! A nice 4" black volitan. I have to ween him onto frozen prepared foods though, any tips?

A whole ton of patience. I have limited experience with them, but I've never used live food once getting them, always just stuck to frozen/prepared (they love freeze dried krill as well as frozen stuff) and used a feeding stick until they eventually got excited enough and went for it.
Sometimes weird things will help-such as how you have the fish speared on the feeding stick, if the lion can see the eyes or not, things like that.

[Jhockey]

Yeah, mine ate a dead clown at the LFS 2 days ago. So how long do you feed them? I was thinking 2-3x a week. I tried dancing a silverside in front of him on a feeding stick, little interest. I'll give him a couple of days to adjust then give it a try. How long should I hold out on live food for him if he doesn't eat prepared? Don't want him starving to death.

[Tryin2layadime]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs950.snc4/74352_10150303667670037_756085036_15796452_1930297_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs006.snc4/33638_10150273251605037_756085036_15265551_8368308_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs387.ash2/66529_10150273251835037_756085036_15265556_1404292_n.jpg

[namxas]

I finally got one! Woohoo! A nice 4" black volitan. I have to ween him onto frozen prepared foods though, any tips?

If you haven't read them, try these:

FEEDING TIPS (http://www.lionfishlair.com/feedingtechniques/toolsofthetrade.shtml)

I highly recommend "Renee's "Handy Dandy Super Sleuth Safe Feeding stick". We use it to feed all of our lions and scorps, incl. our adult volitans.

Lionfish Info Sheet (http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-11/fm/feature/index.php) by Frank Marini

Lionfishes and Other Scorpionfishes, also by Frank Marini. I consider this book to be the "bible" for scorp keepers. Besides a lot of great info, there are tons of nice pix.

Finally...a whole lot of patience!


Tryin2...

Those are some pretty little volitans, you have there!

[Fibinotchi]

I thought I would share some more pics, my zebra has developed a new begging behavior, every time I come close to the tank, he flips upside down and swims back and forth across the surface of the tank. here are a few shots of it.
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/GBreefJay/IMG_4435-Copy.jpg
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/GBreefJay/IMG_4437-Copy.jpg
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/GBreefJay/IMG_4440.jpg
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/GBreefJay/IMG_4439.jpg
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/GBreefJay/IMG_4435.jpg

[Tryin2layadime]

hahah mine begs pretty good too. but he doesnt flip upside down.

[Fibinotchi]

I think he wants me to rub his belly. But, i'm too scared.

[ashtree68]

That's awesome I wish mine would do something like that. My eels are letting me start petting them though so I guess that's something.

[namxas]

Very cool, Fib...I've seen lions engage in that behavior before and thought it had something to do with the fact that fish that live in caves like to have their bellies against a wall, as you often see fish upside down on the ceiling of the cave.

Your fish look gorgeous, BTW.

[namxas]

oooooooooo! That's a tiny one, for sure. We'd LOVE the chance to raise one from that size!

[Fibinotchi]

Very cool, Fib...I've seen lions engage in that behavior before and thought it had something to do with the fact that fish that live in caves like to have their bellies against a wall, as you often see fish upside down on the ceiling of the cave.

Your fish look gorgeous, BTW.

Thanks you, and I have you and your wife to thank for getting me into lions. I used to think they would be a boring fish to own, but I find more satisfaction in housing them than almost any other fish I have kept.

On another note, it concerns me how many fu's have been on divers den for the last six months or so, and on other sites, I hope the people buying them have researched and know what they are doing, and are successful.
I just don't think some fish should be as accessible to the general public as others.

[seahorsedreams]

I'm not going to even put the current Fu in with the others. I worked so hard on him, I just don't want to risk him in any way. I'm going to get a second one for the community tank to make sure I can indeed convert another one.

[Sitarangi]

http://i56.*******.com/8vorxc.jpg

[Fibinotchi]

:thumbsup: Looks like a big happy fu.

[namxas]

Thanks you, and I have you and your wife to thank for getting me into lions. I used to think they would be a boring fish to own, but I find more satisfaction in housing them than almost any other fish I have kept.

On another note, it concerns me how many fu's have been on divers den for the last six months or so, and on other sites, I hope the people buying them have researched and know what they are doing, and are successful.
I just don't think some fish should be as accessible to the general public as others.

I dunno, Fib...you might end up cursing the peeps who addicted you... :lol2:

As for the fu's from DD, at least they're eating well for them when they're shipped, which is great. Weaning them is another issue in itself, as you well know.

[SmithZero]

Picked this zebra up last week :bounce1:

http://catie.smugmug.com/Other/Fish/DSC41355529/1211418106_w77sH-L.jpg

[ashtree68]

I dunno, Fib...you might end up cursing the peeps who addicted you... :lol2:

+1

I'm both thankful and very angry and Greg/Renee for all their information and advice. I was happy with my one little (well rather large) lionfish, now I have 8 lions/scorps.

[Fibinotchi]

I am more than satisfied with being a lion tamer.

[namxas]

Nice zebra, Smith. Is it eating OK for you?

[SmithZero]

Thanks! I have only fed twice (still on live,) but he has immediately taken the guppy. I'll likely feed him twice more with live before I try to convert. I hope that he converts as easy as my volitan did!

[Sitarangi]

some recent shots of my yellow lion

http://i55.*******.com/2e5jiug.jpg

http://i52.*******.com/oh2tls.jpg

http://i52.*******.com/16lwg2x.jpg

http://i55.*******.com/16c17jk.jpg
guarding my nice frags

so far this lion eats krill, silver sides, chromis, damsels, guppies, mysis, live brine, dead brine, pleco wafers, hikari protein pellets, live brine, dead brine, mealworms, and gut loaded ghost shrimp.

[stangd1909]

Here are a few pics of my new little guy, still trying to get him to eat. Sorry for the crappy pics...



http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e242/stangd1909/Fish%20tank/f9e6e4a5.jpg


http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e242/stangd1909/Fish%20tank/70bed3f0.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e242/stangd1909/Fish%20tank/SAM_0357.jpg

[seahorsedreams]

How are things going with the puffer and the lion?

[stangd1909]

The first 3-6 hours After putting the Lion in the puffer was feeling things out. He nipped a little. Since then have been no problems. They both do there own thing lol. Although they do sleep together at night, I thought that was a little strange. My only problem with the lion is I still can't get him to eat. I will keep trying through the weekend, but if he doesn't eat I will take him back and get a yellow tang.

[namxas]

Wow...you're not very patient, and that's important in this game. How are you presenting the food to the fish?

My best advice is to remain calm and try tempting the lion with live prey: guppies, mollies, damsels, ghosties, or even small crayfish (I pull off the claws).

Once you get the lion eating well for you, THEN try weaning it.

[stangd1909]

I just don't want him to starve...that's all. I'm going to buy some live food tonight.

[namxas]

There are ways to improve appetite with Vitamins C and B12, but let's try live food first.

[SaltwaterChris]

Greg your black lion fish is gorgeous the first pic of it is awesome I had to put it as my background:smokin:

[namxas]

Greg your black lion fish is gorgeous the first pic of it is awesome I had to put it as my background:smokin:

Thanks...Renee (seahorsedreams) shot the photos.

You may recognize that shot from the cover of Frank Marini's great book Lionfishes and Other Scorpionfishes:

http://www.amazon.com/Lionfishes-Other-Scorpionfishes-Successful-Spectacular/dp/0793816793/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304031097&sr=1-1#reader_0793816793

[Timothy.s]

http://img3011.photobox.co.uk/68949078c6a79e2db9d66b184dc42814be2e32bdc542caf750a294d7317341009bf17778.jpg

[jarrod13]

Wow tim that's a beauty. I want a volitans so badly for my 220 but I have some smaller fish that I'm attached too and I don't want to see end up lunch. It's such a hard decision

[wnehez]

A couple pics of the new guy

[wnehez]

few more

[namxas]

Nice Russel's you have there.

[wnehez]

Nice Russel's you have there.


Thanks. He is so cool. I have read alot of posts about what to feed them and some people say to switch them over to frozen/dead food, and not to feed them freshwater feeders. Others say that freshwater feeders are good, IDK what to believe because everyone has different opinions. Since everyone here has posted nice pics of what seems like healty lionfish, is it ok to stick with the live feeders? What type is the best?

[namxas]

Hopefully, you live feeders don't belong to the carp family (goldfish, rosy reds, koi, etc). Here's the explanation:

1. The flesh of these fish contain the wrong fatty acids for SW fish, so they simply aren't as nutritious as they should be by a long shot.

2. Their flesh contains high amounts of Thiaminase, which inhibits the uptake of Thiamine. This deficiency typically leads to CNS disorders which typically present as clamped fins, anorexia (cessation of feeding), seizures, and an early death.

If the fish is eating well for you, the best thing to do would be to wean it onto a variety of dead foods such as silversides, SW fish flesh (salmon, cod, snapper, tuna, etc.), uncooked/shell-on chunks of table shrimp, squid, scallops, lobster, etc. These foods are all very reasonable when bought in small quantities from your grocer or local fish market.

We use a modified "stealth" feeding stick as described in Tools of the Trade: Equipment & Techniques to Convert your Fish onto Frozen (http://www.lionfishlair.com/feedingtechniques/toolsofthetrade.shtml) for all of our Scorpaeniformes, including our full-grown volitans.

HTH

[wnehez]

Hopefully, you live feeders don't belong to the carp family (goldfish, rosy reds, koi, etc). Here's the explanation:

1. The flesh of these fish contain the wrong fatty acids for SW fish, so they simply aren't as nutritious as they should be by a long shot.

2. Their flesh contains high amounts of Thiaminase, which inhibits the uptake of Thiamine. This deficiency typically leads to CNS disorders which typically present as clamped fins, anorexia (cessation of feeding), seizures, and an early death.

If the fish is eating well for you, the best thing to do would be to wean it onto a variety of dead foods such as silversides, SW fish flesh (salmon, cod, snapper, tuna, etc.), uncooked/shell-on chunks of table shrimp, squid, scallops, lobster, etc. These foods are all very reasonable when bought in small quantities from your grocer or local fish market.

We use a modified "stealth" feeding stick as described in Tools of the Trade: Equipment & Techniques to Convert your Fish onto Frozen (http://www.lionfishlair.com/feedingtechniques/toolsofthetrade.shtml) for all of our Scorpaeniformes, including our full-grown volitans.

HTH

So I can just go to the grocery store and buy uncooked shrimp and seafood, chop them up, freeze what I dont need at the moment, and try to feed him that? Now should I be switching it up, like shrimp one day, fish the other? and how often should feeding take place? I have heard once a day and every other day.

[namxas]

Yes, just freeze the excess and pull it out as you need it. It's a good practice to mix up your food offerings or feed more than one food at a sitting (we typically just alternate one food).

As for frequency, we stick feed all of the fish on M-W-F, and some of the "lucky" fish that are housed with fish that require food daily get a bit of my Hikari-PE-BS+ mixture as well. Any juvies we're growing out also get this treatment.

As for quantity, just feed till you see a modest "belly bulge" (you'll know what I mean when you see it).

[jarrod13]

Here's my newest guy! Had him a little over a week. He's eating aggressively so hopefully the training won't be too tough (fingers crossed). He's in a 28 by himself. This is my first Fu, very happy so far

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/grodm13/ab410048.jpg
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/grodm13/9326329b.jpg
http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/grodm13/1698dc18.jpg

[DoubleM 10]

Here is my guy. Im in the same boat as jarrod13. hes in a 14BC right now for qt. then try to get him to eat frozen. i will not move him to the other tanks till frozen is acheived lol

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd371/VitaminM10/fish044.jpg

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd371/VitaminM10/fish035.jpg

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd371/VitaminM10/fish034.jpg

[StephLionfish]

jarrod13, doubleM10, gorgeous Fu's guys!
cdc84, wow your big ole Volitans is amazing!
I'd love to post pics of my three troublemakers, but I can't find the camera :(

[ROB712]

Here is mine.

[WienerDog]

My new guy...workin on weenin him now. He's about the size of a half dollar.
http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af341/we4wieners/003-1.jpg

[DoubleM 10]

^^^^^ nice fish i have 2 of those. awsome personality!!!!

[jarrod13]

Wienerdog, beautiful little girl you have there, your going to love having a fuzzy!

Alright seriously... Y'all have to stop posting pictures of the volitans or I'm going to get one!!! Seriously though, rob and cdc you have some beautiful fish there

[DoubleM 10]

jarrod13, doubleM10, gorgeous Fu's guys!
cdc84, wow your big ole Volitans is amazing!
I'd love to post pics of my three troublemakers, but I can't find the camera :(

thank you. and yours looks darn good to lol

[namxas]

Wienerdog, beautiful little girl you have there, your going to love having a fuzzy!

Alright seriously... Y'all have to stop posting pictures of the volitans or I'm going to get one!!! Seriously though, rob and cdc you have some beautiful fish there

Jarrod,

It looks to me like WD's fuzzy may be a "6-bander", so its sex is "on the fence" till it gets a bit more mature. Juvies can be tuff to sex because they need to either "grow into" their fins (if a female) and IME, sometimes they develop full bands where there are "partials".

We have a couple of juvies now (that first recent DD pair), and it does look like they're indeed a M-F pair. The red one is already "on the stick" anf the other is REALLY considering it...

[StephLionfish]

Here's mine. Excuse the bad/blurry/algae covered pics :)
My Dwarf Zebra
http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g339/Stephnp023/Fish%20tanks/P5140010.jpg

My Dwarf Fuzzy. Not sure if its a male or female.
http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g339/Stephnp023/Fish%20tanks/P6020285.jpg
http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g339/Stephnp023/Fish%20tanks/P6020294.jpg

My little Volitans
http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g339/Stephnp023/Fish%20tanks/P5080249_2-1.jpg

[jarrod13]

Nice lions steph! Your fuzzy looks like a female to me

[jarrod13]

Jarrod,

It looks to me like WD's fuzzy may be a "6-bander", so its sex is "on the fence" till it gets a bit more mature. Juvies can be tuff to sex because they need to either "grow into" their fins (if a female) and IME, sometimes they develop full bands where there are "partials".

We have a couple of juvies now (that first recent DD pair), and it does look like they're indeed a M-F pair. The red one is already "on the stick" anf the other is REALLY considering it...

I agree, too early to tell for sure, I made my assumption off the size of the head being that it does have six distinct bands (so far). I guess only time will tell, either way beautiful lion!!

[namxas]

Nice lions steph! Your fuzzy looks like a female to me

Yeppers, I agree...looks like a female.

[StephLionfish]

Nice lions steph! Your fuzzy looks like a female to me

Thanks! Female? Hm, I wonder why a Fuzzy I had fought with her then :hmm2:
I'd like to put the Zebra in with her to cut back on a tank. I WAAAANT that Fu on DD, but again the only two tanks i have that it could go in is the one with the Fuzzy and...well one that is too small ( 20 gallon long).

Namxas, when you guys put that thread up about the lion opening it's mouth or something when it saw you....I thought of my Fuzzy. She does the same thing- not as much though. She only does it when I walk in the room. It's hard to get a pic of, cause when I pull out the camera she thinks it's the food plate and swims to the top. Does yours still do it, is it something to worry about?

[Nighthawk31]

Meet King Louie

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/qq344/nighthawk311/180%20Saltwater/DSCF2260.jpg

[namxas]

Namxas, when you guys put that thread up about the lion opening it's mouth or something when it saw you....I thought of my Fuzzy. She does the same thing- not as much though. She only does it when I walk in the room. It's hard to get a pic of, cause when I pull out the camera she thinks it's the food plate and swims to the top. Does yours still do it, is it something to worry about?

I haven't noticed the behavior recently, but have seen it in the past month. I honestly think it's some kind of display, but exactly WHAT, I'm not sure. Perhaps it's a smile because it knows food is coming. ;)

That room has five setups in it, and it's really funny to see the fish on the opposite side of the room begging with their snouts against the panels when the other tanks are being fed (even the bluefin gets up and begs).

[jarrod13]

How is that bluefin doing? I need new pics of him Renee ;-)

[namxas]

It's doing super well...it's a good eater, but not voracious. It does beg tho...

One thing I can say is that I always think "brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr" whenever I put my hand into the tank. 63* F doesn't sound that cold, but it is when you're used to 76*F setups.

[jarrod13]

It sounds VERY cold actually ;-)

I'm from Florida man and I'm a baby about cold water, I won't even get back in the water to surf until it's at least in the 70's, no wet suits for me!!

[StephLionfish]

It sounds VERY cold actually ;-)

I'm from Florida man and I'm a baby about cold water, I won't even get back in the water to surf until it's at least in the 70's, no wet suits for me!!

Same here. Only...I'm not in florida...and my "ocean" is our pool ;)

Namxas, 5 tanks in one room!? :inlove:

[namxas]

Jarrod,

I hate wearing wetsuits too...they're too restrictive when you paddle.

Steph,

We're back up to 13 setups (again)...so many scorps, so little room... ;)

[StephLionfish]

Jarrod,

I hate wearing wetsuits too...they're too restrictive when you paddle.

Steph,

We're back up to 13 setups (again)...so many scorps, so little room... ;)

Oh my goodness....:inlove::inlove::inlove:
And here I thought my three was a lot. lol.

Here's another one of my baby. I was actually taking pix of all my plants and well... I pass his tank on the way to the backyard and I couldn't resist.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g339/Stephnp023/P6050051.jpg

My fish pictures are never as crisp and pretty as my "nature" pictures. :L

[Boat_Drinks]

Here's a pic of my zebra and antennata (still in their quarantine/weaning tank). They are both excitedly taking most frozen foods now, so it should only be a couple weeks until I move them over.


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=4415&pictureid=31738

[StephLionfish]

Here's a pic of my zebra and antennata (still in their quarantine/weaning tank). They are both excitedly taking most frozen foods now, so it should only be a couple weeks until I move them over.


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=4415&pictureid=31738

Pretty couple, how big are they?
Did you get your antennata online or at a lfs? I've been looking out for one...but can't seems to find any.

[Boat_Drinks]

S. brasiliensis on his favorite perch. Was my first attempt at homemade "live rock"... seems to be working out so far!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=4415&pictureid=31740

RC always wants to import my pics sideways, but one day I'll figure out how to post them right side up :)


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=4415&pictureid=31739

[Boat_Drinks]

Pretty couple, how big are they?
Did you get your antennata online or at a lfs? I've been looking out for one...but can't seems to find any.

Thanks! I got them both online to fill out a DD order and take advantage of free shipping. Have actually been looking for both for some time, but was unable to find either locally. The antennata is a little under 3" TL, and the zebra a little over 2".

[StephLionfish]

What is TL? Is that "total length"? So, the antennata is 3" including the fins? Wow, that's pretty small! You got them both to take frozen foods instead of live? That's a job!

I about got me another small Vol. today. But I didn't. He was gorgeous too. Deep brown, almost black. :( Oh well, there'll be more.

[namxas]

Great-looking fish!

Steph,

Yes, TL = total length (includes caudal fin), while SL (standard length) stops at the base of the caudal peduncle.

Boat,

S. brasiliensis is one of my fave scorps. Great "personality", nice-looking, and good eaters.

[ashtree68]

Boat Drinks,

Not to side track the thread, but how long did your rocks take to cure? What was your recipe?

[Boat_Drinks]

Steph,

I love your little Volitans! Been holding out for one for a while now! I have the tank/space, just need to find the right one :)

Namxas,

I was really surprised at how much personality brasiliensis have! Mine definitely knows the hand that feeds him, and will follow me from one side of the tank to the other. He's been a great eater from day one (already taking frozen), and has grown about an inch in the 3 month he's been with me. Actually, looking at your posts was a big part of the reason that I decided to get one!

Ashtree,

My rocks took about 2 months to cure fully. I soaked them in FW, which was changed daily, then weekly once the PH was stable (I only got really large spikes the first week or so) I put a few pieces in a 10g quarantine tank with a couple of peppermint shrimp just to be sure that they would be safe, and after 2 weeks without problems, started adding them to my tanks.

As for my recipe, I used quikwall (Packaging says that it's safe for food grade applications, so I figured that it would be aquarium safe as well) and playsand in a 5:1 ratio. Used a cooler with more playsand to build up my structures and let it sit for 24 hours before removing and putting it into FW to cure. Was really easy to do, and the pieces are super strong. The rock in the pics are actually 2 pieces stacked on top of one another.

[WienerDog]

Tryin to ween him...not easy.
http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af341/we4wieners/0062.jpg

[jarrod13]

Fuzzies are the easiest to wean IMO, give it some time and it'll come around. As soon as it recognizes your the one bringing food and starts begging, it will pretty much take anything you throw in, mine even eats flakes!

[namxas]

Pretty little girl you have there, WD.

We have a new pair of fuzzies, and one is already a solid stick feeder (almost from Day 1), while the other is REALLY close, but isn't recognizing small chunks as food. It does, however take whole frozen ghost shrimp from the stick, so it's just a matter of time.

Have you tried frozen/thawed ghost shrimp? IME, they make a great "transition" food.

[sacremon]

I haven't posted a picture of my lions in quite a while, so I figured I would give an update. This is not the best picture, in that it doesn't give a good representation of the true relative sizes of the fish, since the volitans is further away than the radiata, who is shamelessly begging for dinner. This is the same volitans that I posted back last year, but the radiata from then died in the LFS's tank after he stopped eating a couple weeks in. I got this one off DD in December of last year. The radiata is maybe 3.5" - 4" TL while the volitans is more like 6" - 7" TL.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=5085&pictureid=35343

Way at the bottom, seen below one of the volitans' fins, you can see my Astropyga radiata, which has grown tremendously in the six or so months I have had it. Its test is about the size of a baseball in diameter.

[wlyon]

A few of my favorites that I currently have. Honestly if it wasn't for my last name I might not have flipped out about lionfish so much freshman year of college. Got my first lion which is the last one featured second semester and now I"m in grad school and have 11 : )

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg269/scaled.php?server=269&filename=img0617nd.jpg&res=medium"]http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg269/scaled.php?server=269&filename=img0617nd.jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg691/scaled.php?server=691&filename=img0619qo.jpg&res=medium"]http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg691/scaled.php?server=691&filename=img0619qo.jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg856/scaled.php?server=856&filename=img0153v.jpg&res=medium"]http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg856/scaled.php?server=856&filename=img0153v.jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg42/scaled.php?server=42&filename=img0149kt.jpg&res=medium"]http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg42/scaled.php?server=42&filename=img0149kt.jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg17/scaled.php?server=17&filename=img0061vm.jpg&res=medium"]http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg17/scaled.php?server=17&filename=img0061vm.jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg42/scaled.php?server=42&filename=imag0012uh.jpg&res=medium"]http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg42/scaled.php?server=42&filename=imag0012uh.jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg11/scaled.php?server=11&filename=imag0008b.jpg&res=medium"]http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg11/scaled.php?server=11&filename=imag0008b.jpg&res=medium

[StephLionfish]

A few of my favorites that I currently have. Honestly if it wasn't for my last name I might not have flipped out about lionfish so much freshman year of college. Got my first lion which is the last one featured second semester and now I"m in grad school and have 11 : )

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg269/scaled.php?server=269&filename=img0617nd.jpg&res=medium"]http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg269/scaled.php?server=269&filename=img0617nd.jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg691/scaled.php?server=691&filename=img0619qo.jpg&res=medium"]http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg691/scaled.php?server=691&filename=img0619qo.jpg&res=medium


Last name?

Those two are gorgeous. I have looked for a red and brown Vol like your two...but I can't find any. I would love to have those two color Volitans :inlove: ....

[wlyon]

Last name?

Those two are gorgeous. I have looked for a red and brown Vol like your two...but I can't find any. I would love to have those two color Volitans :inlove: ....



My last name is Lyon, and I've had those two for about a year and a half now, they are in my 100g with my grouper and my large sailfin tang.

[nateqt]

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g468/nateqt/IMG_20110813_232232.jpg
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g468/nateqt/IMG_20110807_103127.jpg
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g468/nateqt/IMG_20110730_134856.jpg

[StephLionfish]

That's a pretty Fuzzy you have there nateqt. I'm lovin' the yellow band. How long have you had the Fuz?

[nateqt]

a few months, he hate frozen straight from the wholesalers

[seahorsedreams]

This thread is awesome.

[seahorsedreams]

How big was your yellow spot, nateqt?

[namxas]

A few of my favorites that I currently have. Honestly if it wasn't for my last name I might not have flipped out about lionfish so much freshman year of college. Got my first lion which is the last one featured second semester and now I"m in grad school and have 11 : )

You definitely have "the bug"...is that 11 lionfish, or 11 Scorpaeniformes, including your lions?

Nice-looking fish...there's nothing quite like a lionfish (we have 9 lions in our scorp collection, so we're "infected" by "the disease" as well)!

[lilyost4290]

Heres my lion, I have no idea what species though. Awesome fish these guys are

While eating....
http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx310/lilyost4290/DSCN0679.jpg

and a close up
http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx310/lilyost4290/DSCN0658.jpg

[FMarini]

lilyost-
I would hope you would take an active interest in finding out what species this fish is, its pretty easy to do. This way you can talk w other lionfish geeks and say - hey i have an "X' how are you keeping or what are you feeding it it- esp considering there are definite "sizes" of lionfish.

Since your species of lionfish has little morphic color variation of shape- it you look at the lionfish info sheet-(http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-11/fm/feature/) lets say and compare the lionfish images on the info sheet to your picture. I hope you can come up w/ a species name.


no peeking......answer is below








Dendrochrius zebra (zebra or dwarf lionfish)--

[ashtree68]

I'll try and get some tonight, but currently have 1 volitan, radiata, mombasa, Fu Manchu, 3 fuzzies (M-F-F) and a wasp fish.

Still working on getting the Fu to eat, but slowly starting to show interest in frozen, eats shrimp like a champ though.

Really want to get another antennata, and some other scorps but low on space right now.

[dknydiep]

Lions are awesome. I wish I had a bigger tank.

[lilyost4290]

well it was labeled as a dwarf at my lfs, I just wasnt sure of the species name. Thanks though

[nateqt]

How big was your yellow spot, nateqt?

when i got him he was about 2" now hes like 3" ish

[seahorsedreams]

when i got him he was about 2" now hes like 3" ish

Awesome.

[jholt1320]

:spin1:

[Gagstr]

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/5271/dsc03594xh.jpg

This is my Lion every time i walk near the tank... fatass...

[seahorsedreams]

Beautiful!

[namxas]

I'm lovin' the blue ocelli!

[AlexS95]

Ignore the hair algae...

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu122/iTeeeeeeeeeeeeen/DSC01783.jpg

He had to get in the picture. :lmao:
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu122/iTeeeeeeeeeeeeen/DSC01781.jpg

[wlyon]

You definitely have "the bug"...is that 11 lionfish, or 11 Scorpaeniformes, including your lions?


I have ten Lions, and one scorp
Current fish count:

4 volitans
1 radiata
1 antennata
1 mombassa
1 D. Zebra
1 D. Fuzzy
1 Fu Mancu
1 Sea Goblin

[StephLionfish]

I have ten Lions, and one scorp
Current fish count:

4 volitans
1 radiata
1 antennata
1 mombassa
1 D. Zebra
1 D. Fuzzy
1 Fu Mancu
1 Sea Goblin

Where are my pics!? :D
I'd love to have four Vols

[ashtree68]

I have ten Lions, and one scorp
Current fish count:

4 volitans
1 radiata
1 antennata
1 mombassa
1 D. Zebra
1 D. Fuzzy
1 Fu Mancu
1 Sea Goblin

I am very jealous. How big of tanks are these all in?

[seahorsedreams]

Someone on another site had a sphex... so jealous.

[wlyon]

Where are my pics!? :D
I'd love to have four Vols

I'll dig up some more pictures for you. I've yet to get a picture with all four of the volitans together. Most of the time they each stay around their own rock structure.

I am very jealous. How big of tanks are these all in?

The 4 volitans and the radiata are in my 100g fowlr

The rest are in my 75 lps/sps reef tank Way to small to be anywhere near my big lions.

[namxas]

lyon,

Is your 100 gal the 48" tank or is it the "standard" 72" tank?

[ashtree68]

The 4 volitans and the radiata are in my 100g fowlr


Wow, please post some more pictures, and FTS!

[wlyon]

lyon,

Is your 100 gal the 48" tank or is it the "standard" 72" tank?

It's the standard 72" long, with about 120 lbs live rock in the display, running two massive skimmers, and a 20 gallon refugium.


http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg109/scaled.php?server=109&filename=img0588o.jpg&res=medium


I'm in college and rent a house right off campus, so I can't go any bigger at the moment, but in three semesters I'll be done and plan on a massive lion only system.

side note* the maroon clown in the pic is no longer in that tank.

[ashtree68]

I count one lion in this picture! :) Nice stand (I really need to build/fix/do something with mine, it is not pretty at all.

[namxas]

I'm in college and rent a house right off campus, so I can't go any bigger at the moment, but in three semesters I'll be done and plan on a massive lion only system.


We have a 210 gal peninsula in the works that will house our 3 medium-bodied lions, an Inimicus japonicus, and a Scorpaena brasiliensis for starters.

We had originally planned a 300 gal+ in-wall large-bodied lion den, but it's a fire wall, and there's a load bearing beam in the way. It could still be done, but not easily. I'd hate to have our second floor end up downstairs...

[ashtree68]

We have a 210 gal peninsula in the works that will house our 3 medium-bodied lions, an Inimicus japonicus, and a Scorpaena brasiliensis for starters.

We had originally planned a 300 gal+ in-wall large-bodied lion den, but it's a fire wall, and there's a load bearing beam in the way. It could still be done, but not easily. I'd hate to have our second floor end up downstairs...

What else are you considering on putting with the 210?

Is your volitan/I] and [I]fondosa(spelling Is probably wrong) still in the 125?

[namxas]

Not sure yet...I'm just trying to get the sucker up and running. The shed (6' x 6.5') for the sump, pump, skimmer, and full-blown Genesis system is being delivered on Saturday. I'm still toying with the sump design...might add a fuge section that will tumble Chaetomorpha, might not. I also have a list of final plumbing parts to order cuz I can't find what I want for a decent price or at all. It's kinda tuff to find threaded fittings these days...everyone wants to use glue.

[ashtree68]

My Fu ate frozen for the first time tonight, ate it then proceeded to run and hide in the back. Little does he know I can see him through the reflection.

[twiggyb]

Lights were off, but I love the way the eye looks


http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac292/twiggybrown/fish%20shots/IMG_5273.jpg


day time blurry

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac292/twiggybrown/fish%20shots/IMG_5207.jpg

[StephLionfish]

twiggyb
That first pic is awesome!! That eye is so amazing!

[FMarini]

the lighting bolts in the eyes of these scorpionfish are awesome-

but a phenomenon of using a flash on an animal that has a unique reflective lining inside its eye.

Since lions are crepuscular the inner eye is coated with a retroreflector- similar to the [i]tapetum lucidum[/] in other vertebrates.
When the flash collects at odd angles to the eye-the output looks like a lighting bolt
- i believe its officially called eyeshine

[seahorsedreams]

Yup, eyeshine. It's what we look for on the Canadian highways at night!

[sacremon]

Greg/Renee: Do you have the bristletail filefish in with scorps? I've been trying to find one last fish for my tank, and was looking at filefishes, but was unsure if they would be fin nippers.

[seahorsedreams]

Ours hasn't touched a fin. I can't answer to everyones though, but this one has been great.

[ashtree68]

I have a pair of mated filefish/aptasia eating filefish with my fuzzies and haven't had any problems with them nipping fins or eating corals, or aptasia. Still neat looking fish, will come out and beg and swim with the lions when people walk by the tank.

[sacremon]

Cool. If my intended next fish doesn't work out (Moorish Idol) then I will take a good look at the filefish. I know well enough to leave the orange spotted to the experts.

In regards to the Idol, I have a lot of sponge growing in my tank and in the sump, so it should have plenty to eat until I can get it to eat other foods. That is assuming my new Asthenosoma varium doesn't eat all the sponge first. That critter is well suited for being able to hug the surface of rocks to get everything off that it wants to, and it has taken a liking to the sponge.

[namxas]

Greg/Renee: Do you have the bristletail filefish in with scorps? I've been trying to find one last fish for my tank, and was looking at filefishes, but was unsure if they would be fin nippers.

The bristletails never bothered the scorps...even the substrate-huggers. They did eat appies, but oddly enuff, we never saw them doing it. However, the appies were gone in about 2 weeks.

[smitch]

I'm kicking around the idea of starting another lion tank and stumbled on to this thread. Still dont know if I want to take the risk of loosing some of my current fish:headwalls:.

Here are some old shots of my lions

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f325/Smitch260/100_2252.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f325/Smitch260/100_2256.jpg

[seahorsedreams]

Very VERY nice!

[The Mike]

Beautiful lions!

[dviper150]

Don't the lion anymore but here is a picture of mine when I did.

http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/ss340/fahad09_2009/DSC01882-1.jpg

[The Mike]

Here's of few pics of my crew....

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg541/MaG_1011/IMG_0447_zpscfd44fb4.jpg

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg541/MaG_1011/IMG_0438_zpsaf24c230.jpg

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg541/MaG_1011/IMG_0435_zpsb023e924.jpg

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg541/MaG_1011/IMG_0448_zps45689d38.jpg

[The Mike]

Did I mention how much I like this thread? and Thank you Smitch for bringing it back!

[namxas]

Since the thread has been "bumped", here's a rare one:

Pterois sphex (Hawaiian lionfish):

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/sphex900.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/sphex2900.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/sphex2900-1.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/sphex3900.jpg

[The Punisher]

Here's a couple of mine:

http://i932.photobucket.com/albums/ad165/willdumas/DSC_0014-1.jpg

http://i932.photobucket.com/albums/ad165/willdumas/DSC_0021-1.jpg

http://i932.photobucket.com/albums/ad165/willdumas/DSC_0011-1.jpg

http://i932.photobucket.com/albums/ad165/willdumas/DSC_0001.jpg

[stykthyn]

Heres my volitans.

[Pallobi]

Great thread :beer:

[pjb9166]

We just got him this past weekend.

[namxas]

Pretty vollie!

[hossa81]

Thought i would show my fuzzy.
240562
Picture from Diver's Den

240560
240561
Being acclimated

[namxas]

How's that fish doing for you, hossa? It's a pretty one for sure.

[hossa81]

Still out of town, no message from my friend so im guessing he is ok. Will be back in town Friday/Saturday.

[ingtar_shinowa]

Alot more lions in reefs then I was expecting.

[xrayjeeper83]

My clearfin, had a Russell's but it died due to velvet

[pjb9166]

Alot more lions in reefs then I was expecting.

That was the selling point for me when my son came home with one. They are reef safe.
I was concerned about the currant beating him up. Not at all. He is doing great. Not to mention, he now got my family interested in Dad's pile of rock.
Kind of cool when I was trying to explain what I was doing and what I had. Now they sit and ask questions. Like I never talked about the tank before. :eek:

[namxas]

Very cool, pjb. Ya never know what will fuel interest in the hobby. Of course, I fully understand the fascination with lionfishes... *wink*

jeeper,

That's a pretty radiata...it looks to be in really nice shape!

[hkarmy25]

Since the thread has been "bumped", here's a rare one:

Pterois sphex (Hawaiian lionfish):

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/Our%20Fish/sphex900.jpg

NYA has one in right now. How's yours doing?

[namxas]

It's doing well, and FWIW, we picked up a small juvie from NYA as well (our older fish was from DD). It's a great little fish, healthy and spunky. It will be in a grow-out tank for awhile...I have to say one thing: baby lionfishes are CUTE!

One thing about the older sphex is that is always wants to get all "in our faces" at feeding time, and it's hard to deal with the fuzzy pair and the sphex all crowding in front saying "me! Me! ME!" The radiata and the fu mind their manners a bit more.

[Snookslayer85]

Just acclimated and dropped in a baby red volitan, and a baby black volitan for my 225 Fowlr. Will have picks up soon, just put them in, so they are in hiding right now. lol

Any suggestions for feeding these babies. They are probably the smallest volitans I have ever seen. They were special hand picked from a Miami wholesaler. They are the last fish for my tank which currently houses a Australian Harlequin Tusk, a Magnificent Foxface, Porcupine puffer, and a snowflake eel. Oh yeah, and 6 Blue Green Chromis( soon to be food for lions) left over from my reef tank. lol

So happy to finally get them in the tank. Tired of seeing them in my lonely QT.

[pjb9166]

Just another pic.

[namxas]

Just acclimated and dropped in a baby red volitan, and a baby black volitan for my 225 Fowlr. Will have picks up soon, just put them in, so they are in hiding right now. lol

Any suggestions for feeding these babies. They are probably the smallest volitans I have ever seen. They were special hand picked from a Miami wholesaler. They are the last fish for my tank which currently houses a Australian Harlequin Tusk, a Magnificent Foxface, Porcupine puffer, and a snowflake eel. Oh yeah, and 6 Blue Green Chromis( soon to be food for lions) left over from my reef tank. lol

So happy to finally get them in the tank. Tired of seeing them in my lonely QT.

How small is "small"?

I'm guessing they aren't weaned yet, or are they?

[hkarmy25]

Good to hear. I would love to set up a lion tank when i get the time, even though i just got rid of two...

Do you know who picked up that BF that was on DD for awhile? curious to see how its doing

How small is "small"?

I'm guessing they aren't weaned yet, or are they?

I'm guessing small. We just got one in that's not even as long as my pinky, but its weaned.

[namxas]

There have been a few really small lions we've seen lately. We love getting them small, but they can be a challenge to feed at first, altho if you have a lot of pods, they'll feed themselves between meals.

The hardest part about weaning tiny fishes is using the right tool, which is where a "stealth stick" comes in really handy. You can get tiny pieces of food on them.

[pjb9166]

Seeing that the conversation about feeding had come up. I have a juvenile about 3-3.5 inches. Big enough to feed small 3/4-1 inch gold fish.
How often should I feed. One other thing many years ago I had read a article and I remember reading that gold fish are not the best thing to feed lionfish.something to do with the fats that build up in their liver . Can anyone comment on this for me please.

[zabes]

Seeing that the conversation about feeding had come up. I have a juvenile about 3-3.5 inches. Big enough to feed small 3/4-1 inch gold fish.
How often should I feed. One other thing many years ago I had read a article and I remember reading that gold fish are not the best thing to feed lionfish.something to do with the fats that build up in their liver . Can anyone comment on this for me please.

do not feed goldfish or any freshwater fish for that matter. the fats they contain are terrible for them. start off with gut loaded live ghost shrimp. then can work on weaning them onto frozen foods.

[xrayjeeper83]

Goldfish are horrible food.
Try mysis or shrimp

[pjb9166]

Goldfish are horrible food.
Try mysis or shrimp

Thanks both of you. So I was correct.
I don't want him to eat shrimp. He respects my cleaner. He lets the cleaner do his job. The outcome could be sad. The cleaner is the oldest inhabitant.

Wait aren't ghost shrimp freshwater?

[jarrod13]

They are indeed but it's the fish that are bad, plus the ghost shrimp you can gut load with a high quality marnie flake food so they carry the essential vitamins saltwater fish need.

Once you get him weaned you can serve him fresh fish from the market if you don't want to do shrimp... Or silver sides

[pjb9166]

Wonder if I went down to the shore, went to a tackle shop and got saltwater minnows.

[namxas]

pjb,

I suspect if your cleaner is getting a "pass", it will likely be OK.

To be honest, once our personal fishes are weaned, they will actually bypass a live meal in favor of the stick if both are offered simultaneously. They very much become creatures of habit.

FWIW, guppies would be a much better fit, both sizewise and nutritionally than small goldfish. The flesh of Cyprinids (carp) contains high concentrations of the enzyme thiaminase, which inhibits the uptake of thiamine (vitamin B1). Over time, can result in various CNS disorders (anorexia, convulsions, clamped fins, and early death).

In most fishes, eye size and stomach size are similar, so they should be fed food items that are about the size of the fish's eye. For lionfishes, we recommend 4-6 eye-sized food items per feeding. Not only do smaller food items digest faster and more completely, but most fishes will choose smaller prey if they have a choice.

[hossa81]

The only time i would feed live, is when you are trying to wean your fish over to prepared foods. I fed my lion guppies is when i got a feeder guppy bonus buying ghost shrimp. Besides that he eats prepared food like a pig.

[Snookslayer85]

Here is the red I got. He is the biggest. His body length is probably 3", and the black is in the cave still. His body length is about 2.5".... so cute.

Fed some brine/ Mysis to my other fish and they were interested but only until it hit the sand.

Put in a dozen ghost shrimp and they ate as many as they could. Glad to see them both eat within 24 hours.

Here is a pic of the red so you can see the size of him.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/nightrider2006/photo_zps54c834f7.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/nightrider2006/media/photo_zps54c834f7.jpg.html)

Close up: Crappy cell phone pic

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/nightrider2006/photo-001_zps30a5b989.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/nightrider2006/media/photo-001_zps30a5b989.jpg.html)

[Snookslayer85]

How small is "small"?

I'm guessing they aren't weaned yet, or are they?

They are not weaned yet. Spent 4 weeks in quarantine and ate ghost shrimp only. Tried a bunch of other frozen and they were not having it.

I think once they start watching the feeding frenzy at meal time, they will want to join in the dance!:dance:

[smiz]

Miss my lion fish. He use to eat frozen food and swim to the surface and spit it out at me demanding live food.

[hossa81]

They are not weaned yet. Spent 4 weeks in quarantine and ate ghost shrimp only. Tried a bunch of other frozen and they were not having it.

I think once they start watching the feeding frenzy at meal time, they will want to join in the dance!:dance:

Try stabbing the ghost shrimp with the feeding stick. Used this trick and a day later he started eating frozen.

[hossa81]

Miss my lion fish. He use to eat frozen food and swim to the surface and spit it out at me demanding live food.

Lol, my old lion would spit water at me. My current one is a little lazier for the time being spending most of his time hiding under the outflow of my hob filter.

[Snookslayer85]

Ill try the feeding stick next. I don't have one of those stealth sticks. Ill stop by the LFS and see what they have.

[smiz]

I used fishing line and would pretend he was swimming around.

[Snookslayer85]

The only problem is I have some voracious eaters in the tank too!....... Porcupine puffer( big pig), and the Harlequin tusk. lol

[pjb9166]

Here is the red I got. He is the biggest. His body length is probably 3", and the black is in the cave still. His body length is about 2.5".... so cute.

Fed some brine/ Mysis to my other fish and they were interested but only until it hit the sand.

Put in a dozen ghost shrimp and they ate as many as they could. Glad to see them both eat within 24 hours.

Here is a pic of the red so you can see the size of him.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/nightrider2006/photo_zps54c834f7.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/nightrider2006/media/photo_zps54c834f7.jpg.html)

Close up: Crappy cell phone pic

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j151/nightrider2006/photo-001_zps30a5b989.jpg (http://s79.photobucket.com/user/nightrider2006/media/photo-001_zps30a5b989.jpg.html)

BEAUTIFUL! !!!!!!!!!!!@

So you got my lion's twin. We had been wondering where he was. ;)

[tupes]

I just ordered a fuzzy cant wait for it to come in.

[hossa81]

Ill try the feeding stick next. I don't have one of those stealth sticks. Ill stop by the LFS and see what they have.

I just use a wooden kabob stick. My fish taje that very well, they could care less about the stick.

[hossa81]

I just ordered a fuzzy cant wait for it to come in.

You'll love him/her, very hardy and personable animals.

[namxas]

Here's a photo showing the stealth stick in action (and a couple of pretty lions too!):

P. sphex feeding from stealth stick (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdMGgE0eVzE)

A stealth stick is an acrylic rod with a length of 50# monofilament attached to it. The line is stiff enuff to get the food where you want it, but doesn't spook the fishes like a regular stick can. It also doesn't seem to bother them if they grab the line...we've had fishes go stick shy when they grab a stick.

[xrayjeeper83]

Nam how often do you feed?

[Snookslayer85]

Here's a photo showing the stealth stick in action (and a couple of pretty lions too!):

P. sphex feeding from stealth stick (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdMGgE0eVzE)

A stealth stick is an acrylic rod with a length of 50# monofilament attached to it. The line is stiff enuff to get the food where you want it, but doesn't spook the fishes like a regular stick can. It also doesn't seem to bother them if they grab the line...we've had fishes go stick shy when they grab a stick.


Looks cool. Couldn't I just use the 50# mono? Ill try to put a ghost on a stick when I buy some more tomorrow.

[namxas]

You could try, but the stick really helps you get a good "wiggle" and helps you get the food exactly where you need it. It's not 100% perfect, but as of yet, we haven't figured out a better way to feed our fishes.

We've actually had blotched anthias learn to stick feed, which was a bit of a PITA cuz they'd want to swoop in on the lionfishes' food.

[Snookslayer85]

Where can I find one if these stealth sticks?

[hossa81]

I think they sell them on that pet place.

[Snookslayer85]

Huh

[hossa81]

Here's a link:
http://www.thatpetplace.com
Have bought from them a couple times, pretty good pricing.

[Snookslayer85]

Oh ok.... I thought I were being sarcastic with the comment " that pet place".... Lol

[hkarmy25]

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o541/parker_brown1/juvvolitan_zpsc4cda328.jpg (http://s1147.photobucket.com/user/parker_brown1/media/juvvolitan_zpsc4cda328.jpg.html)

Heres that juv i was talking about. He's a little off the glass but you get the point. I've never seen one this small eating frozen...

[namxas]

Actually, nobody sells a true "stealth stick"...we hold a provisional patent on the design. However, you can indeed get the clear acrylic feeding stick, from which you can DIY a stealth stick using 50# monofilament. Here's a pic of one of our early sticks:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/stick900.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll73/hixphotobucket/sticktip700.jpg

[tupes]

You'll love him/her, very hardy and personable animals.

Well they said they cant get one in at the moment. But they can get a dwarf zebra lion. Anyone have experience with these or should I stick to my guns and get a fuzzy?

[jarrod13]

Zebras are great lionfish, the only problem is its hard to get a healthy one from the start. If you can find that they are just as good as a fuzzy. I've had mine over a year now and when I got him he was extremely skinny, but was eating well and didn't have any parasites. He's fat as a hog and healthy as an ox now though. I like hem because they look like little volitans almost.

[tupes]

I'd be getting it from live aquaria. I assume it would be in good condition coming from them? could I call and see what they're feeding them and how they look? Its not a dd order just a standard stock item.

[tupes]

Also I plan on feeding live shrimp.

[hossa81]

I'd be getting it from live aquaria. I assume it would be in good condition coming from them? could I call and see what they're feeding them and how they look? Its not a dd order just a standard stock item.

They have a list of what they feed all their specimens, im pretty sure its for all their fish, not just the DD fish. Bought my lion from live aquaria, although it was from DD, very healthy but would only take ghost shrimp for awhile.

[tupes]

Well hopefully it works out. I just placed my order for a dwarf zebra lionfish from LA it'll be here tomorrow.

[jarrod13]

Most of the time they only feed their lions live food, unless it readily takes dead, but I would count on it not being weaned yet

[cooterbrown]

http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae16/Cj65_jk10/null-1.jpg
My big guy sadly passed away about 4 months ago. He had been with the previous owner for 10 years and spent 3 years with me. So no telling how old he was. He lost his eyesite about a year ago so I spent alot of time teaching him to eat from my hand. I would bounce a shrimp off his nose and he would eat that way. One day he just quit eating and a week later he layed on the bottom and died. It was sad the s&s puffer would swim under the lion hiding and they slept next to each other and while the lion was dying the puff never left his side. So tell me fish aren't smart. I put him in the jar because I had never seen another one this big in captivity. He was 13" long and as big around as my forearm. This is a 1g jar for reference.

http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae16/Cj65_jk10/df6bd62e.jpg
Here he was in all his glory.

[AmberFL03]

Sorry to hear, he was very handsome :)

[hossa81]

What a nice looking fish. Plan on replacing or putting something else in soon?

[namxas]

That was a pretty vollie.

I kept my first volitans for a good 10 years, so I know your pain. Our last volitans was about 12"+ and altho we had her for several years, we lost her to a recurring resistant strain of crypto.

[shse666]

http://i.imgur.com/eMEGoHs.jpg (http://imgur.com/eMEGoHs)

[namxas]

Nice vollie Howard!

[pjb9166]

Beauty

[tupes]

Heres my new addition to the family. Dwarf Zebra Lionfish

http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n520/nawlinsboy2007/20130815_100038_zpsaa2adea6.jpg

[namxas]

Nice fish, but your IMG code is wrong somehow...it only works if I paste it to the addy bar.

[FlipToast]

Well I was going to buy a lionfish...turns out all they had were turkey fish...I don't like birds so I will just watch yours. Good looking fish!

[jarrod13]

Volitans are sometimes labeled turkeyfish also

[FlipToast]

Istanbul was Constantinople now its Istanbul not Constantinople now I just found out a turkey fish is actually a lionfish. Ugh.....

[hossa81]

Heres my new addition to the family. Dwarf Zebra Lionfish

http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n520/nawlinsboy2007/20130815_100038_zpsaa2adea6.jpg

Nice looking fish, looks pretty nice.

[namxas]

Well I was going to buy a lionfish...turns out all they had were turkey fish...I don't like birds so I will just watch yours. Good looking fish!

You can always pick another common name, or just call it a "lionfish":

Butterfly cod, featherfins, peacock lionfish, firefish, red lionfish, scorpionfish, scorpion cod, zebrafish, turkeyfish...you get the idea. OR, you could always be a bit more correct and call it a volitans. Altho we don't do so, you could also just give it a name...Mufasa, Simba, Fred...

[FlipToast]

Man it was a joke haha. I'm actually a well rounded individual lol. I run my own local frag/tank setup/custom glass sump business. And I did used to have a Volitans named Mufasa! He was great pals with my pufferfish named...get this...pumba haha. I always kept an eye on them of course. They've always had separate diets too, never got into any brawls. I raised saltwater acclimated mollies as feeders who doubled as a cleanup crew. Boy I do miss that setup. All reef for me now.

Some awesome things about lionfish I learned from experience:
Pee on your hand if you get stung
Never expect a fish to be ignored as lunch
They look great perched near massive Duncan corals.

[hossa81]

Man it was a joke haha. I'm actually a well rounded individual lol. I run my own local frag/tank setup/custom glass sump business. And I did used to have a Volitans named Mufasa! He was great pals with my pufferfish named...get this...pumba haha. I always kept an eye on them of course. They've always had separate diets too, never got into any brawls. I raised saltwater acclimated mollies as feeders who doubled as a cleanup crew. Boy I do miss that setup. All reef for me now.

Some awesome things about lionfish I learned from experience:
Pee on your hand if you get stung
Never expect a fish to be ignored as lunch
They look great perched near massive Duncan corals.
you should've got a Mombasa lionfish and called him mufasa.

[pjb9166]

You can always pick another common name, or just call it a "lionfish":

Butterfly cod, featherfins, peacock lionfish, firefish, red lionfish, scorpionfish, scorpion cod, zebrafish, turkeyfish...you get the idea. OR, you could always be a bit more correct and call it a volitans. Altho we don't do so, you could also just give it a name...Mufasa, Simba, Fred...

Thats funny. My kids are calling ours Mufasa:p

[FlipToast]

Yeah I did consider that actually too haha

[cooterbrown]

What a nice looking fish. Plan on replacing or putting something else in soon?
Way ahead of ya! Lol this guy went in the next week. I got lucky he's almost full grown and lived in a buddies tank for a year
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae16/Cj65_jk10/null-103.jpg
Here's most of the gang
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae16/Cj65_jk10/null-102.jpg

[cooterbrown]

you should've got a Mombasa lionfish and called him mufasa.

My dead ones name was mufasa and the new ones name was already simba haha. It was meant to be

[pjb9166]

I know it's not like great pic. But here is Mufasa on Pride Rock.

[hossa81]

Way ahead of ya! Lol this guy went in the next week. I got lucky he's almost full grown and lived in a buddies tank for a year
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae16/Cj65_jk10/null-103.jpg
Here's most of the gang
http://i953.photobucket.com/albums/ae16/Cj65_jk10/null-102.jpg

Got yourself another nice volitan, is that a remora mext to the puffer?

[crypteria]

Some good looking fish on here!
Here are my Radiata and Fu Manchu.
They are with a Cockatoo Waspfish ("the sea puppy" haha) in a DSA 105.
Cheers!
Austin

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/austinb75/IMG_5060R_zps8036d11b.png (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/austinb75/media/IMG_5060R_zps8036d11b.png.html)

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/austinb75/IMG_5085FMcropped_zpsdf42c19b.png (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/austinb75/media/IMG_5085FMcropped_zpsdf42c19b.png.html)

[hossa81]

Some good looking fish on here!
Here are my Radiata and Fu Manchu.
They are with a Cockatoo Waspfish ("the sea puppy" haha) in a DSA 105.
Cheers!
Austin

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/austinb75/IMG_5060R_zps8036d11b.png (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/austinb75/media/IMG_5060R_zps8036d11b.png.html)

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/austinb75/IMG_5085FMcropped_zpsdf42c19b.png (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/austinb75/media/IMG_5085FMcropped_zpsdf42c19b.png.html)

My cockatoo acts like a puppy too. Only had mine acouple days and he has already become a favorite.

[Ckyuv]

I love your mombasa! i just ordered mine from live aquaria today, I'm pretty excited ill have pics soon!

[pjb9166]

Cool looking fish

[nirvanaandtool]

Some good looking fish on here!
Here are my Radiata and Fu Manchu.
They are with a Cockatoo Waspfish ("the sea puppy" haha) in a DSA 105.
Cheers!
Austin

[IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/austinb75/IMG_5060R_zps8036d11b.png[IMG] (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/austinb75/media/IMG_5060R_zps8036d11b.png.html)

[IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/austinb75/IMG_5085FMcropped_zpsdf42c19b.png[IMG] (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/austinb75/media/IMG_5085FMcropped_zpsdf42c19b.png.html)

Beautiful lions! I need to get a Fu one of these days for my scorp tank.

LOL @ Sea Puppy. Pretty accurate description for a cockatoo wasp.

[shse666]

http://i.imgur.com/Ntvfdf0.jpg (http://imgur.com/Ntvfdf0)

[cooterbrown]

Got yourself another nice volitan, is that a remora mext to the puffer?

that'd be a remora. other than the lion fish and the S&S puffer the rest of the fish are rescue fish. i either find them in tanks too small or they were injured and needed some serious recovery. the panther grouper was around 6" when i got him. missing his tail and was in a 10 gallon tank, the previous owner only got rid of him because he ate his clown room mates. the remora was from a lfs that has a 800g predator display, they put the remora in and a tessalatta eel literally bit him in half. he is missing from his anal fins back. he's about 13" and as big around as my forearm. i don't think these are aquarium fish at all though, i just felt sorry for him so i doctored him up. been over a year now