Volitan Lionfish (Pterois Volitans)

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Semi-aggressive

Color : Black, Red, White

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : With Caution

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

Max. Size : 1' 3"

Venomous : Yes

Origin : Africa, Sri Lanka

Family : Scorpaenidae

Minimum Tank Size : 120 gallons

The Volitan Lionfish (Pterois Volitans) is also known as the, Common Lionfish, Red Lionfish, Turkeyfish and Butterfly Cod.

It’s coloration can vary depending on the age and maturity of the fish, displaying a red to burgundy, white, and brown to black vertical stripes along the length of the body. It also has large, fan-like pectoral fins, and tall, banded spines on the dorsal fin. The spines on the dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins are venomous, and used solely for defense. If stung, the affect is similar to a bee sting, only stronger. 

The Volitan Lionfish can grow rapidly to an adult size of 15 inches, and when full grown these fishes should be housed in a 120 gallon or larger aquarium with numerous hiding places. They need swimming space both around rocks and out in the open. It will hide while acclimating to its new home, but then is generally found out in the open. 

They will do perfectly fine with other fish of similar size and can be a very peaceful community fish when kept with the correct tankmates. However, when kept with fish that have a body size of about ½ of the lionfish’s body size; it will only be a matter of time before the volitan lionfish will try to eat it. 

Although you can keep multiple Lionfish in the same aquarium, you should use caution when doing so. You would need to ensure they are both a very similar size and added at the same time to increase your chances of success.  One of the Lionfish can become very dominant and will bully the others steeling all the food when you feed the tank.

These predators are naturally carnivores. As the Volitan Lionfish is a predator, they are used to eating live fish that are anywhere about ½ their body size or less. When first introduced into the aquarium, live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. Its diet should include meaty foods such as live shrimp, live fish, and occasionally crustacean flesh. Once fully settled into the aquarium, with some diligence and patience, Volitan Lionfish can convert over to consuming a prepared diet consisting of chunks of fresh, uncooked table shrimp, frozen silversides, and pieces of frozen squid. Juveniles should be fed every other day while adults can have a schedule of three times a week.

Size: Small: 4" to 6"; Medium: 6" to 8"; Large: 8" to 10"