My New Lion Fish

[black molly3]

well here is lucius (as in lushus) my vol lion. he is only about 2" long and is currently in a 25 GAL (later to be upgraded to a 6 X 4 X 2) tell me if you like him and also he will not accept any frozen foods yet i have had him since saturday and on the sunday i gave him a baby platy. ( realy funny he demolished it in once because i chose a small platty from my lfs and his belly swelled up like a bouncy ball haha its gone now though ) thats about all he has ate and he wont accept cockel, frozen lance fish or bloodworm. i have got mussles but im not sure weather to try them yet. should i keep feeding him a live fish every 3 days and in between try to convince him to eat frozen. thanks. any tips would be great.

(my favorite that was only took about 1 hour ago)

hope you all enjoy

 

[n3ont3tra]

Maybe it's just me, but it looks more like a Spotfin lionfish (Pterois antennata).

 

[roseK]

that is one of the prettiest fish i have ever seen.

 

[Filmoholic]

That first pic is awsome! very nice.

 

[stang1]

Beautiful fish.
What are you keeping him with?

 

[andywg]

Maybe it's just me, but it looks more like a Spotfin lionfish (Pterois antennata).

No. the colour is wrong for P. antennata and if you look at the pectoral fins on the above fish it has connective tissue right to the tip. P. antennata does not have such tissue all the way to the tip.

Obviously P. antennata makes a better fish for the home aquarium due to its smaller size. Interesting how the OP was looking at an 80ish gallon in PM, but suddenly will be getting a 6x4 in public

 

[bubblesburst80]

that is a gorgeous fish

xXx

 

[shibby]

yep definetly a volitans, beautiful fish but can be inquisative when your hands are in the tank!

 

[n3ont3tra]

Oh I thought spotfins had spots on their fins and volitans didn't

 

[clinton ><>]

what is there life span

 

[ox5477]

for the money you spent on that fish.... do not risk getting him sick from feeding him fish directly from the lfs. I know alot of freshwater diseases will not survive in marine environments but I still wouldn't risk it. keep trying different foods and putting them right by the powerhead outlet so it flys around the tank, then it might get his attention. you will find something he likes and then you can ween him on to different foods from there. If all else fails, his natural instinct should kick in before he dies from hunger

 

[shibby]

silversides and brine i believe most lions ive seen like. pretty hardy creatures are lions i think .. one of the hardiest marines around.

 

[black molly3]

thank you everyone for your replies i wernt expecting this many in such short time. right first of all andy that lfs i said i was reserving that 80 gal from got a shipping in a few days ago and i seen the 6 x 4 tank and questioned about it. and how my luck is going recently because the shop were in such a good mood they said i could have it for 5% off as i am such a reguler customer so i am realy happy.(not much but better than nothing. i thought it was an antenna at first but after some reaserchig it is more of a volitins (sp). yes the lion fish are very hardy. it is not housed with anything yet apart from a rather large hermit as the tank is only 25 gal i do not want to be adding any more fish. when i get my new tank i plan on getting mabee a large powder blue (depends how the money goes) and a few more nice fish havent quite decided.
i have been feeding it silver backs(lance fish i think) which it has only accepted slightly bloodworm which it hasnt touched cockel which it hasnt touched and a platty which it scoffed. i have to be careful not to get the tank too clogged up so if he doent eat it after 12 hours i take it out.
yes the stings on its fins are meant to be simalar to a bee sting but slightly worse. i havent been stung yet and touch wood i wont be.
i highly recomend the lion fish to any aquarium owner aslong as you are willing to take time to try to convince it to accept frozen. it is a really excelent addition to the aquariuum but its such a shame it cannot be housed as a community species
thanks for your replies once again
black molly3

btw for those of you who want to know he was 18 pound

i have a quick vid of him eating the platty if anyone wants to see and btw the water in the bag is all mine i emptied the lfs water out gradualy into a container whilst adding my own (just to let you know

p.s just tried frozen brine shrimp and he likes it. tomorrow i may try some more bloodworm and some silver sides
i have been told to feed him small amounts untill he gets a nice plump belly then go to feeding him 3-4 times a week

 

[kewskills]

he is beautiful

 

[BigC]

A real beautie and a real sight to look at. More of a pet species than just a fish.
Regards
BigC