INFO NEEDED ON VOLITAN LIONFISH

**liontamer** · 02-01-2012, 6:28 PM

Hi

I just recently purchased a 55 gallon saltwater aquarium at my local pet shop
and have a few questions on the voilitan lionfish

well first off I'm a beginner to this hobby and need a lot of info on raising lionfish
I purchased A eshopps wet dry filteration system and also crushed coral with decor everything is basically set up properly . But I would like to knowhow to raise them the pet store told me to put damsels or triggers in the tank before I get the lionfish for what I have no clue so if someone can explain that would be helpful and would it be possible to bypass getting them and going straight for a lionfish another thing is the salinity level is at about 1.020

can someone tell me how I would go about raising them for a beginner thank you . It will be much appriciated

**SubRosa** · 02-01-2012, 6:51 PM

Step #1 Get a bigger tank. A 55 is too small for a Volitan. That said I have indeed cycled several tanks with Volitan Lions. They're at least as hardy as any Trigger for this. Your salinity is a bit low, but it could work to your advantage as most LFSs keep their salinity a bit low on fish systems which could ease acclimation. Also for your own sake make certain that the fish you buy eats frozen food!

**Khemul** · 02-01-2012, 6:56 PM

First step would probably be to get a bigger tank. Or consider one of the various dwarf lions instead.

Ignore the whole damsel/trigger thing. That is not needed. People sometimes cycle a tank using damsels (not sure about using triggers, seems expensive). The problem is that worst case you kill the fish needlessly and wast money on replacements. Best case is the damsels survive and you can't get them out of the tank (granted, a Volitan would take care of the removal for you...). From the store's point of view it is win/win really. From the customer's point of view it is a waste of resources that only happens because they don't know any better.

You need to map out what you want with the tank. What equipment you need. Do some research into how to start a saltwater tank. Then research lionfish heavily.

**blue2fyre** · 02-01-2012, 7:26 PM

I love volitan lionfish! My LFS has one that must be 12" long.

My dream tank is an 8 foot 300 gallon with lionfish and eels. I would love a green moray someday but they get too big and too mean

**liontamer** · 02-01-2012, 7:49 PM

so your telling me there's no possible way I can work around the tank being 55 gallons please tell me yes . And would it be possible to give me a step by step process guide thanks