Animal-World > Marine - Saltwater Fish > Lionfish > Volitans Lionfish

Volitans LionfishBlack Lionfish ~ Red Firefish

Family: Scorpaenidae

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Pterois volitansPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy L. Prakash

     The Volitans Lionfish, Black Lionfish, or Red Firefish are so lazy that many times people think they are dead when they are merely resting upside down!

     This is the most commonly seen (and kept) Lionfish. The Volitans Lionfish, Black Lionfish, or Red Firefish is also the largest lionfish, at about 16 inches for a full adult length.

     The Red Lionfish is often sold as P. volitans but is actually Pterois lunulata. Unlike the Black Lionfish (pictured above), the Red Lionfish does not have the antennae above the eyebrows.

     The dorsal spines of this fish are venomous; the sting can be treated by heating the afflicted part and application of corticoids. If the sting is not severe, running hot water over the effected area for 15 minutes or more will help. We have known two people to get stung by an aquarium specimen, the symptoms lasted for a few days. Our motto is "Don't pet the fish"!

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

Maintenance difficulty:      The Volitans Lionfish, Black Lionfish, or Red Firefish 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. They should be encouraged to eat non-live marine foods as soon as possible.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:      Volitans Lionfish, Black Lionfish, or Red Firefish are found in the Pacific Ocean: Cocos-Keeling Islands and Western Australia (Ref. 27362) in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Marquesas and Oeno (Pitcairn group), north to southern Japan and southern Korea, south to Lord Howe Island, northern New Zealand, and the Austral Islands. Replaced by the very similar Pterois miles from the Red Sea to Sumatra. They inhabit lagoon and seaward reefs from turbid inshore areas to depths of 50 meters.

Foods:      The lionfish will hide in unexposed places during the daytime often with the head down and practically immobile. Pelagic juveniles expatriate over great distances which is the reason for their broad geographical range. In the wild this fish hunts small fishes, shrimps, and crabs at night, using its widespread pectorals to trap prey into a corner, stun it and then swallow it in one sweep.

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:     Volitans Lionfish, Black Lionfish, or Red Firefish adults can grow to 40 cm (16 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:      A minimum 75 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 the most readily available of all the lionfish.

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Latest Comments
Ladies and Gents I'm new to this site, and while surfing it, ran into this comment: Just took back my medium/small lion. I was very aware that it'd eat anything it could fit in its mouth. What I didn't realize is just how big a fish that was. It will easlily swallow a fish a third its size, sometimes bigger. If the fish is too long to swallow right away, it will sit around with the fish's tale sticking out of its mouth until it can make room in it's belly. I also thought I could distract my lion by feeding it a large silverside just before I added a Diamond Goby that was borderline too small for my tank. Had no effect on my Lion's appetite. Went hunting immediately and had swallowed him by the next day. His stomach was so big that he didn't move for two days. I reluctantly decided to take him back to allow for smaller fish. If you don't mind having a size limit for fish in your tank, this is an awesome fish, and was one of my favorites until it started eating expensive fish. Keep in mind they grow extremely large, and fast if fed well. Also, don't feed feeder goldfish. They don't have the nutrition needed and can sometimes choke your lion. Chad 2006-12-13 Response: Now I have a beautiful Red Volitan Lionfish about 10in or so in lenght I have him with a 24in or so Dragon Eel a 15in or so Bamboo Banded Shark and an 6in Silver Snapper So far all is well I have 175gl Tank and he has not eaten or had any issues with the fishes in the tank; matter of fact he can be hand fed and he is quite tame, I'm guessing the person that wrote about his Lion eating huge fish might be a little far-fetched I mean they are known to be predators or what not but eating fishes 1/3 thier size is hard to believe with that said Thank you. Nestor Nestor Juan Chanfrau 2010-02-08
I love my Lionfish, all he does is swim around all day. I had a school of cromys in the tank, he's been eating them little by little, lol. But what other fish do you recommend I can put in the tank, and can I have corals? Joel 2010-02-03
I LOVED mine. He WAS awesome until he ate my angelfish, lol. Ahh who am I kidding, I love mine. He was 75 bucks, he's 8-9 inches long, and very beautiful. He's in a 90 gallon with a coral beauty that is being sold, a red emperor snapperfish, and a spotted grouper. derek 2009-12-01
Beautiful lionfish! I wish i had one but my mom won't let me (im 14). My 30 gal SW tanks perimeter seams broke and now i don't have the tank OR permission for one. I'd need a 75 anyway. kyle 2008-01-01
Whenever I am there when this fish is in its best condition, it never fails to make my jaw drop! Wnen I look at it, I realize how beautiful a living organism can be. I am amazed by the fact that this fish is so outstanding yet so dangerous with its poison-filled spines. Everyone should have this fish. You will never regret the day that you acquired this fish. Jigs 2007-05-02
Some of the coolest comments:
Just took back my medium/small lion. I was very aware that it'd eat anything it could fit in its mouth. What I didn't realize is just how big a fish that was. It will easlily swallow a fish a third its size, sometimes bigger. If the fish is too long to swallow right away, it will sit around with the fish's tale sticking out of its mouth until it can make room in it's belly. I also thought I could distract my lion by feeding it a large silverside just before I added a Diamond Goby that was borderline too small for my tank. Had no effect on my Lion's appetite. Went hunting immediately and had swallowed him by the next day. His stomach was so big that he didn't move for two days. I reluctantly decided to take him back to allow for smaller fish. If you don't mind having a size limit for fish in your tank, this is an awesome fish, and was one of my favorites until it started eating expensive fish. Keep in mind they grow extremely large, and fast if fed well. Also, don't feed feeder goldfish. They don't have the nutrition needed and can sometimes choke your lion. Chad 2006-12-13
The volitan lionfish is a AWESOME fish but is venomous! A baby volitan lionfish can live in a 55gal tank, but in another year you are going to have to upgrade. And keep in mind that the lionfish will eat any fish that can fit into its mouth! A perfect tankmate for this fish is a eel. Ben compton 2004-06-05

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