How to Care for a Lionfish

Before purchasing your very own lionfish for sale, be sure to read Salt Water Fish Shop’s lionfish care sheet to learn how to care for a lionfish!

Quick Facts

Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Colo Form: Black, Red, White

Diet: Carnivore

Reef Compatible: With Caution

Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025

Max. Size: 7″

Venomous: Yes

Minimum Tank Size: 60 gallons

Lionfish Breeding

Lionfish breed year-round. Females mature after turning one year old. After maturation, they produce about 50,000 eggs every three days for the rest of their lives. They reproduce much more quickly then the average reef fish that only spawns once a year. This can lead to an overpopulation of lionfish in reefs. Lionfish also have no natural predators which factors into the overpopulation also.

Diet of Lionfish

They are carnivores and eat once or twice a day depending on the fish. Lion fish enjoy small fish, invertebrates, and mollusks. They feed at dusk and dawn and have no need to chew their small prey. Occasionally, they will cannibalize smaller lionfish.

Lionfish Lifespan

Typically, lionfish live anywhere from 10 to 16 years in the wild. Lionfish can live up to 18 years in captivity. It is important to keep this in mind when thinking of purchasing a lionfish.

Lionfish Size

They typically only reach a max size of seven inches in length.

Zebra Lionfish Tank

The water temperature should be kept between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. They should be kept in a tank that is at least 50 gallons, depending on the species. The water quality, temperature, and pH levels should be kept stable in order to keep your lionfish happy and healthy. The salinity level of the tank should be about 1.020 to 1.026. Rocks and decor should be provided for hiding places.

You should check the filter and water temperature daily. The water quality should be checked weekly. Every month, change 10 to 25% of the water. Be extra careful when performing maintenance to avoid getting stung.

Lion fish Tank Mates

New tank mates should be introduced gradually. Fish of similar or larger size make great tank mates for the lionfish, as they tend to eat fish smaller than themselves. Lionfish are most compatible with rock beauty angelfish, threadfin butterflyfish, Foxface rabbitfish, blue tang, maroon clownfish, snowflake moray eel, harlequin tusk fish, anglerfish, panther grouper, and the clown triggerfish.

Lionfish Behavior

They spend most of their time alone and are not overly active. They attack their meals quickly. Be cautious of their venomous dorsal spines. Their stings feel like a strong bee sting. Most are not affected by these stings, but it is possible to be allergic to them.

Lionfish Origin

They originate from the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, including the Red Sea. Their tank temperature must stay in the 72 and 78F range because they are used to these warm, tropical waters in the wild.

Lionfish for sale

The Dwarf zebra lionfish for sale or dwarf lionfish for sale is also known as zebra lionfish or dwarf lionfish. It has red ,white and black vertical stripes along the body;large,fan like pectoral fins and tall quill like dorsal fins. They tend to inhabit shallow coastal waters and have an affinity for caves and rocky outcrops where they can ambush their prey, mainly consisting of small crustaceans and small fish.  Also known as the fuzzy lionfish, dwarf fuzzy lionfish, or fuzzy lionfish for sale.