Fishician®Diet
Carnivore – live fish/shrimp initially; train to frozen silversides, krill, market shrimp
Aquarium species profile
Volitans Lionfish
Pterois volitans · Indo-Pacific (widespread; invasive in Atlantic/Caribbean)
Minimum tank120 gal
Adult size12–15"
Care levelModerate
TemperamentSemi-Aggressive
Temperature72–82°F
pH range8.1–8.4
Compatible tank mates
Very large fish that cannot fit in its mouth; large angels, large triggers
Tank mates to avoid
Small fish (will eat anything that fits in mouth), invertebrates
Care notes
Spectacular predator with venomous spines—dangerous to handle. Will eat tankmates that fit in its enormous mouth. Training to non-live food takes patience. Reef-unsafe (eats invertebrates).
Check the whole aquarium. Tank size alone does not establish compatibility. Confirm adult size, water overlap, social grouping, territory, diet, and the individual animals before stocking.