Dare I?

[Michael Roth]

Ok, I've had decent success in the past with freshwater. Lost a few yo-yo loaches in one tank when temperature dropped, and let my male dempsey beat the female to death in another. My gar and tiger shovelnose get harassed by the red terror, but they seem to be fine. The question is, do I dare get another 90 gallon tank and try saltwater? Specifically of the lionfish variety?

I know they are messy, and aggressive.

I know a 55 is safe for the average volitans, but a 90 would be more comfortable.

But I have never tried salt, and to be honest the thought scares me a little. I've seen your stickied post Corax, about setting up a tank...so I would follow those instructions for setup.

The profiles are a little vague, are there any specifics I ought to look out for with the lionfish species? Any words of caution or even straight out "Not your first salt tank?"

From what I have absorbed, they are a decent beginner fish, but am I biting off more than I can chew?

Thanks.

[MonoSebaelover]

Not quite sure where you saw that a Volitan Lion would be okay in a 55 but that is not really true. They require a minimum of 125 gallons when adult since they will get 15 inches long and will seriously be the size of a basketball (with all the plumage) floating in your tank. And correction...lionfish are not aggressive by any stretch of the imagination. They are predatory but that doesn't mean aggressive. Lionfish are actually really peaceful. Lions are like the angels of the large predatory saltwater fish while Triggers are like the devils. Triggs are the large aggressive guys. But anyway, thats just technical stuff. I would say if you are only going to get a 90 with no plans of upgrading within two years go with one of the dwarf species of lion like Radiata, Antennatas, Fu Manchu's, etc. Lions are actually pretty good first salt fish. I would say go for salt, I started 4 years ago and now have 5 saltwater tanks and 1 freshwater tank while 4 years ago it was the reverse. Lots more personality in saltwater. Anyway, hope this helps.

[kreblak]

Once you get past the beginning stages in SW, everything gets much easier. The first couple of months you will be learning water chemistry, fish biology, and a host of other topics which will make you wish you paid more attention in freshman biology.

[Guy W]

I think a Lion fish is an excellent first fish, I've read of Lion Fish surviving in water conditions that would kill even the toughest of Damsels, not to say I recommend this husbandry. But, they are hardy fish.

However like Mono said, a 55 or even a 90 isn't much of a home for a full grown Volitans or Russels Lionfish. Unless you have plans for going to a 125 I would get a dwarf species like Radiata or Antinata for a 90, or a Fuzzy Dwarf or Fu Manchu in a 55. Actually I'm of the opinion that a 120 gallon would be better than a 125, because while a 120 isn't 6 foot long it is 24 inches wide instead of 18 inches. And since lionfish aren't really active swimmers I think the wider tank would be better than the longer.

However a 180 (6feet x 2 feet) would be ideal :D (can you guess what size tank I want to upgrade too???)...

As for agressiveness... they will eat whatever will fit in their mouth, thats it. They won't harrass any fish that they don't consider a snack though.

I say make the jump to saltwater, you'll never look back.

Guy

[widdledink]

By all means YES!!!! Jump into SW. I did it about 3 years ago after getting board with FW. FW was a bit to simple for me. Sure you had to watch the H20 Chem. but that was about it. Plus with SW your fish have PERSONALITY!!!!!!! And the colors! HOO YAA!

Anyways, for someone who has loved every min. ever since I set up my 75 gal. I would encourge you to make the switch. You will love it much more. IF you don't Let me know what stuff you get and I might buy it off you :D