Parapterois heterurus a.k.a the blackfoot firefish(lion)

[ChaosReefer]

Has anyone seen these or found a site that sells them for the aquarium trade, here is a link that has a picture http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lions&rels2.htm , just type in blackfoot firefish or the scientific name and it should take you down to a section that has the words "And Some Rare Species You'd Like to See: " right above it

[T-T-Trigger]

There was a recent thread on these, search for bluefin lion or something close to that.

[supernip]

Ive personally kept 4 of them but none lasted too long. the longest i had was only a few months. I believe they're colder water lions as they are from japan. Since Japan does not ship stuff to the US, I suspect the ones for sale in america might be from cebu, philippines. So yeah, probably not really in too good condition in the first place. I see them come in every once in a while but never in too good shape. I could probably get interested members a few but the wait might be long.


they are, in my opinion, the best lion but unfortunately don't fare well in home aquaria. Ive also talked to a few people and none of them were successful neither. Sorry to disappoint you.

[ChaosReefer]

dang, well thanx for the speedy reply, maybe if i do a little bit of research could figure it out

[LisaD]

so is the problem with longevity that they are coming in stressed/diseased, or that they need conditions that aquarists are not providing? what is the ideal temperature? I have two and want to do whatever I can to get/keep them healthy.

[achillesheel]

lisa d: how are your blue fins doing? ive been looking to get one but know of their poor history in captivity. ive got a 55 that i want to set up as a cool water species tank. any new info?

[Confooseld]

Her's both died sadly.

[achillesheel]

any body else try them out?

[LisaD]

everyone I know of who kept them lost them. many did not look bad initially, ate ok, but still soon died. such a shame, beautiful fish.

if you do a search, the correct spelling is Parapterois heterura. One common name us blue fin lionfish, there are others.

[achillesheel]

did you keep them in a species tank or fo or reef? what temp was your tank? what did you feed? sorry for all the questions.

[LisaD]

Species tank AND a lagoon reef AND a QT (I actually tried three or four, including replacements for those that died immediately). Temps were mid-70s in all tanks. I was assured that these were tropical, not coldwater fish, when I asked. The first came showing signs of disease, but we (the e-tailer and I) felt it was ammonia burn because the fish was not fasted before shipping cross country. In retrospect, this was signs of disease, and this fish died in less than a week. I mostly fed ghost shrimp, which they ate. The next two fish did not last long at all, maybe a week or so at the most. The longest lasting, which I tried to treat in the QT, showed signs of Vibrio soon after arrival and went down hill fast, not responding to treatment. Unless I knew of someone keeping them long term, and could know their source and their tank set-up, I would not try this gorgeous fish again.

[ChaosReefer]

What E-Tailer did you use? I would be willing to dedicate an entire tank to one if I could get my hands on one......

[LisaD]

I bought them from Atlantis Aquarium (www.atlantisaquarium.net). Though the fish died, they were very fair and accomodating. They sold several, I don't think any made it. You might try calling them to find out if they would get them for you. Given our dismal experience with these lions, Joleen and Ming may not be willing to guarantee their survival. I too would be willing to devote a tank to them, but I first need to know more about keeping them alive.

[Monkeyfish]

Sounds like the best way to keep'em alive is to leave them in the ocean. ;)

[LisaD]

Unless there are documented long term successes coming along, I would agree.

[achillesheel]

how do we discover how to keep them alive in captivity if we dont try occasionally. 5yrs ago there was far less success keeping regals angels than now. sps a decade and a half ago was a big deal. now look at the success rate. certain creatures i agree but in the right set up a lion of this nature should be no problem. not trying to start any arguement on the morals of the marine aquarist, but ....

[LisaD]

same is true of seahorses...

I think if experienced aquarists start keeping them with success, I will try again.

I agree in a limited way with monkeyfish. Not saying no one should try them, just that my track record is not so good and I will keep them once there is more good info on their requirements and/or specimens in better shape are available. it will be awhile before I try a regal angel, but the regal angel thread is my inspiration and guide. same as if I decided to keep a Moorish idol :).

I don't consider myself to be a skilled enough aquarist at this time to keep the blackfoot lionfish without more information. that information won't be forthcoming without people trying to keep them. I hope the people that buy them will be those with the greatest chance of keeping them alive and healthy (i.e., expert aquarists).

[achillesheel]

any new info or attempts with this fish? im still looking for a healthy specimen and the correct set up info.

[FMarini]

new shipments of this fish were comming in last month. I believe atlantisaquarium again had some.
However, unless the supply chain has realized that this is a cool water fish and kept them at the appropiate temp during collection, handling, shipping, and then of course at atlantis. I would NOT expect any greater success. People just dont get it....this is the catalina goby of lionfish.

[LRS078]

Every person from intermediate to uber advanced I've heard of that has tried these guys has not kept them past a couple months....they have similar mortality rates as blue ribbon eels. Better to leave them in the ocean.

[LisaD]

agreed.