Are Black Volitans hard to come buy?

[lhoy]

Just as the title says, "Do you see these frequently in stores?" I have found one, but don't really have my 30 gallon quite ready for it. It is about 4" in length right now. Would ultimately go in a 75 gallon. Is that big enough or should it go bigger?

Lee

[JeremyGlen]

If your looking at a black volitan, your going to need a 150+. Those things get big and need room to move around. You also don't want to have too small of a tank because it could sting your other fish, if not eat them. You can get them at most every store year round. They do tend to sell quick, especially in the small sizes.

If I were you, I'd look into getting a lion that grows no larger than 6-8", only if your going to have it in a 75 from the start.

I am looking at the fu manchu lion since it only gets about 4" long. You may want to consider that as an option.

[RayAllen]

I agree with JeremyGlen on the tank size, but if you must have I would call the LFS's and ask when they expect to get them in, that way you have a better shot of taking one home. Some fish stores will even custom order you a fish if they dont have it in stock.

[Ram_Puppy]

if you don't have a choice about tank size, and you absolutely need a lion fish, I would reccomend one of the dward species, otherwise, your are headed for trouble as the others have said.

Fuzzy Dwarfs and Fu Man Chu's are awesome fish.

[lhoy]

I do have a Fuzzy Dwarf and he is wickedly cool. I asked because I saw one recently and Mitchell's book (don't have it handy) said a 55 or 75 (can't remember which) is the minimum recommended size. I wondered about that so I asked. I know they get large but don't know their growth rate. I am sure it is as much about waste production as anything else.

I was curious, largest tank I have is a 75 right now. The one for sale was about 4" in length.
Lee

[Ram_Puppy]

your right there is a waste factor, but size is important too.

imagine you have a fish the size of a soccer ball, or basketball, w/ poisonous spines, and the tank is not much bigger... now... all other things aside (like the moral aspect of keeping a fish in the equivalent of a thimbul) do you wanna stick your hand in there? I sure as heck wouldn't!!!! :)

Lion Fish grow fast. all of them.

[SaltyJim]

Not to mention, if you do get him, and decide to later get him out and give to someone else, how are you going to do that? Ask Ross how bad the sting is, I believe he has had an encouter or 2.

[thedude]

It doesn't hurt THAT bad. Like 100 bee stings, all on one area.

Black volitans are not hard to come by. They are just as common as the reds.

John