what size tank

[MikeDeL]

What kind of lionfish do plan on keeping?

[alexwolf]

If im not mistaken, that looks like a Radiata to me. They get pretty big IIR.

[brianK]

The snowflake eel, from what I read, can get up to 36 inches although usually about 24 inches in captivity roughly. If I remember correctly the "rule of thumb" was to have at least a 40 gal tank, while some say a 75 gal. I presently have a snowflake eel in a 37 gal tank (its about 10-11" in length), but plan on upgrading the tank when he does grow some. Its also very useful to put some live rock and other hiding places (I have some PVC pipe in the tank also) for it to hide, which is what it mainly does during the day, since it usually feeds right after lights out.

I had a Voltan lionfish (like what you picture looks like) in the tank with the eel (lost it a while back) and both seemed to get along pretty well. When/if you feed live food I found its best if you isolate the lionfish since he gets pretty greedy and tries to take all the live bait. The snowflake eel has fairly bad eyesight so mainly finds the food from bumping into it from what I've found.

The two (eel, lionfish) do make a good pair if you ask me, and if you start off with at least a 40 gal (and they are fairly small in size at purchase) I think both can grow into the tank, and just upgrade tanks down the road as they grow. Good Luck!

Brian

[alexwolf]

Volitan. Thats what I meant! :)

[Polkster13]

Get the biggest tank you can up front. Less headaches in the long run.

[Reef69]

yep, Volitan...I agree with Polkster, upgrading is a *****.

[Polkster13]

Especially dealing with eels and lion fish. Not something you want to take lightly.

[don-n-sa]

55g or 75g...but the 75 would be better IMO...but realistically what are the chances of you sticking to just those two? I know it always starts out like that but the temptations grow everytime you go to the LFS. :D

[Jenn]

Polkster13 and Don are right - go with a minimum of 75g so you don't have to worry about the upgrade later. I had a Volitan in a 55 and he outgrew it pretty quickly.

[GaryP]

Personally I don't think anyone should have a tank less than 300 gal. Anyone got one laying around they want to give me?

Gary

[cailan]

go big because you always wish you had gotten the bigger size.

[BA]

i used to have a volitan that was about 14inches, their max size is about 15inches, just remember that...

[GaryP]

Yea, and imagine it trying to turn around in a 12 or 18 inch wide tank. With its pectoral spines its as wide as its long, probably wider. If you really wanted a lion, why don't you consider one of the smaller species, like a Fu Manchu. Here's a pic.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=231

Gary

[Andrew]

If you're going to buy show size fish, I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than a 120 gallon (2high 2wide and 4long).This will allow you to put your hands in the tank with a lower probability of being pierced or bitten, and, the lion can turn himself around without hitting front/back glass.

If they're small specimens, they should be able to live in a tank considerably smaller (55-75) for up to several years.

If you go to small on the tank, you'll regret it later. I definitely have.

andrew

[NaCl_H2O]

Buy what you can afford, and afford the time to take care of! It doesn't matter how big or small you start, sooner or later, you will mant more! Just design your first one to be expandable :-D

Heck, I'm already looking for more square footage ... this stuff is worse than heroin!

[C.Mydas]

why don't you consider one of the smaller species, like a Fu Manchu.

Fu Manchu's are notorious hard keeps. I would recommend an antenatta, radiata, or dwarf lionfish if you wanted to stay small. They all get about 7-9in. The antennata (I may be spelling that wrong) looks very similar to a volitan, so it might suit your interests better than the others.

I had a snowflake a dwarf and a radiata in a 37 cube (I recently sold the snowflake b/c it was getting too large). They make wonderful tank mates, it was especially cool to see the eel swimming through the radiatas fins :grin:

As for feeding I didn't isolate my radiata, I would feed the eel froxen krill first (until he was full) and then dump the live food in. The lions got their fill and the eel was too full to care.

Make sure if you decide to feed live food to gut pack the shrimp first so your lion gets enough nutrition.

[::pete::]

this stuff is worse than heroin! ... Yup, you spend all your money on it, neglect everything else and before you know it your jonesing for more .... :-D