All fish / Scorpaenidae

Antennata Lionfish

Pterois antennata

Also known as spotfin lionfish, antennata lionfish, ragged-finned lionfish, broadbarred firefish, antenna lionfish, banded lionfish, antennata lion, ปลาสิงโต, ハナミノカサゴ, ikan lepu ayam, 触须蓑鲉, 斑鳍蓑鲉

This is a mid-sized lionfish with red-brown and white bars, long fanned pectoral fins with spotted membranes, and tall banded antennae above the eyes. Keepers like it for its striking look and calm, hovering behaviour, and it stays smaller than the common volitans lionfish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

17 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Best kept singly; several can share a large tank if added together

Diet

Carnivore: frozen shrimp, mysis, krill, squid and fish flesh, usually offered on a feeding stick; weaning off live food is needed

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-Pacific, from East Africa and the Red Sea region to French Polynesia, north to southern Japan and south to Australia

Breeding

Pairs scatter buoyant egg masses in open water after courtship at dusk, and the larvae spend a long time in the plankton. It has seldom been bred in home aquariums and is very hard to raise.

Good to know

The fin spines are venomous and a sting is very painful, so handle with care and keep hot water to hand for first aid. It will eat any fish or shrimp small enough to swallow, so choose tankmates that are larger.