All fish / Scorpaenidae

African Lionfish

Pterois mombasae

Also known as mombasa lionfish, deepwater lionfish, frillfin turkeyfish, african lionfish, mombasa turkeyfish, ミノカサゴ, lepu ayam, 非洲狮子鱼, 蒙巴萨蓑鲉

A compact lionfish with reddish brown and white bars, long feathery pectoral fins and venomous dorsal spines. It stays smaller than the common volitans lionfish, so keepers like it for showy predator tanks of moderate size.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

16 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Single specimen, or a compatible pair in a large tank

Diet

Carnivore: frozen shrimp, mysis, krill and chopped seafood; wean off live fish

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Indian Ocean: East Africa, Red Sea fringe to India and Indonesia

Breeding

Pairs scatter floating egg masses in open water after courtship at dusk. Captive spawning is rare and rearing the larvae is very difficult.

Good to know

Venomous spines can cause very painful stings, so handle with care. It will eat any fish or shrimp small enough to swallow, and it is easily confused with Pterois antennata.