Lionfish

Pterois volitans

Venomous, flamboyant and patient. It corners small fish with its fan-like fins before swallowing them whole.

A predatory saltwater fish that grows to 35 cm, lives in the middle of the tank and needs 23–28 °C, pH 8.0–8.4 and an aquarium of at least 250 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Saltwater

Temperature

23–28 °C (73–82 °F)

pH

8.0–8.4

Adult size

35 cm (14 in)

Aquarium

250 L or bigger (66 US gal)

Temperament

Predator

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Middle

Diet

Carnivore

Wild home

Indo-Pacific reefs

Good to know

• Hardy. Tolerates less-than-perfect water. Great for beginners.

Tank mates

Good company: Achilles Tang, Blue Tang, Blue-Leg Hermit Crab, Clarion Angelfish, Copperband Butterflyfish, Foxface Rabbitfish, Golden Dwarf Moray, Moorish Idol, Regal Angelfish, Snowflake Moray.

Will eat: Banggai Cardinalfish, Coral Beauty, Firefish Goby, Flame Angelfish, Flame Hawkfish, Green Chromis, Harlequin Shrimp, Mandarin Dragonet, Neon Goby, Ocellaris Clownfish, Peacock Mantis Shrimp, Peppermint Angelfish and 8 more.

Attacks: Aurora Moon Jelly, Flower Hat Jelly.

Attacked by: Clown Triggerfish.

Colours

• Classic epic
• Black Volitans legendary

Now and then a rare mutation shows up: Black Volitans.

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.