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Antennata Lionfish

Ragged-finned Firefish ~ Spotfin Lionfish

Family: ScorpaenidaePterois antennataPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Antennata Lionfish, Ragged-finned Firefish, or Spotfin Lionfish is distinguished for it's strikingly different pectoral fin rays, and it's large black and white "antennae"! A good community fish as long as it's companions are too big to eat.

   The main characteristic of the Antennata Lionfish, Ragged-finned Firefish, or Spotfin Lionfish is the lack of connecting tissue in between the spines of the fin rays. The pectoral fins are connected only a short ways out from the body while the dorsal fins are not connected at all.

   They do have venomous spines, our motto is "Don't pet the fish"!

For more Information on keeping marine fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Geographic Distribution Pterois antennata Data provided by FishBase.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Scorpaeniformes Family: Scorpaenidae

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.

Author: David Brough. CFS.

Lastest Comments on Antennata Lionfish View all 4 comments on Antennata Lionfish Add Your Comment

ADRIAN HOWE - 2006-01-08 This is a simply stunning fish with exquisite colours. My fish has settled in perfectly with the rest of my fish and has not bothered any of them. The smallest is a firefish and I also have a cleaner shrimp which even tries to 'clean' the lionfish. It even feeds on algae pellets which I originally bought for the tangs. My advice is go and buy one! Click For Replies (1) corrie - 2011-10-05 The fish you are keeping with the lionfish in time he will eat them like the firefish and also the cleanershrimp...... I have been keeping lionfish for over 20 years......So please keep eye on size of the mouth of the Lionfish Reply

Greg Hix - 2011-06-10 Picture's updated now, thanks for your help Greg!... Animal World nfortunately, the photo shown and ID'd as Pteoris antenatta is not an antenatta, but the closely related Pterois mombassae. Mombasa lionfish are often mistaken for P. antenatta in the aquarium hobby. We currently keep and study all of the lionfish species that are commonly available to the hobby, and even a few that are rather uncommon. Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2011-06-11 Will check that one out. Thank you. Reply

~Leana~ - 2007-09-04 I have to do a science project, and this was the only website that helped!! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Reply

Andy Starr - 2004-07-15 The spotfin lionfish is a worthy addition to any community home aquaria as long as a degree of care is taken with regard to the size of his tankmates and his venomous spines. My fish is well adapted and fed from the second day of introduction. He readily accepts cockles and small lancefish and when he bothers to free swim instead of resting, he is a spectacular site. Reply

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