Antennata Lionfish

Maintenance difficulty:
   The Antennata Lionfish, Ragged-finned Firefish, or Spotfin Lionfish is easy to keep. Lionfish are among the hardiest of all marine fish. In the beginning though, make sure you have a reliable supplier of feeder fish.

Maintenance:
   Feed live fish in the beginning, gradually enticing them to eat frozen of fresh foods such as silversides and lancefish. Other crustaceans and seafoods can also be tried.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:
      Antennata Lionfish, Ragged-finned Firefish, or Spotfin Lionfish are found in the Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Marquesan and Mangaréva islands, north to southern Japan, south to Queensland, Australia and Kermadec (Ref. 8879) and Austral islands. Occurs in lagoon and seaward reefs.

Foods:
   This fish hides in crevices under rocks and coral formations during the day and hunts at night. Typically they hunt with head towards the safety of their hide-out or a nearby narrow passage. They feed on shrimps and crabs in the wild. In the aquarium they can be fed meaty foods and small fishes.

Social Behaviors:
   Sociable and peaceful, can be considered a community fish as long as the tankmates are not small enough to eat!

Sex: Sexual differences:
   Unknown.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   See general breeding techniques in the Breeding Marine Fish page.

Light: Recommended light levels:
   No special requirements.

Temperature:
   No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 74 and 79 degrees fahrenheit.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Antennata Lionfish, Ragged-finned Firefish, or Spotfin Lionfish adults can grow to 20 cm (8 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 40 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
   No special requirements.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
   Will swim anywhere their prey takes them.

Availability:
   This fish is generally readily available.