All fish / Scorpaenidae

Red Lionfish

Pterois volitans

Also known as volitans lionfish, common lionfish, red lionfish, turkeyfish, devil firefish, lion fish, black volitans lionfish, caution, ปลาสิงโต, ikan singa, ハナミノカサゴ, ikan lepu ayam

A striking reef predator with bold red, brown and white bands and long, fan-like pectoral fins and venomous dorsal spines. It is kept for its dramatic look and calm, slow hovering, and it is hardy once feeding on dead foods.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

30 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

450 litres

Keep as

Best kept singly; not with fish small enough to swallow

Diet

Carnivore: frozen shrimp, silversides, krill and other meaty marine foods; wean off live feeder fish

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western and central Pacific, eastern Indian Ocean; invasive in western Atlantic and Caribbean

Breeding

Pairs spawn at night, releasing floating egg masses held in mucus that hatch into planktonic larvae. Spawning occasionally happens in large aquaria, but raising the larvae is very rarely achieved.

Good to know

The fin spines carry a painful venom, so handle with care and keep hot water to hand for stings. It eats any fish or shrimp that fits in its mouth, and releasing it is strictly forbidden as it is a damaging invasive species in the Atlantic.