Volitan Lion

[Squirt0170]

I'm debating on buying this fish.. He is the COOLEST looking fish I have seen so far.

Worries:

1. I have never been stung by a bee so I don't know if I am allergic.
Question: Are they friendly fish? Do they try to sting you at every chance they get when feeding?

2. Are they picky eaters? At the fish store they gave him shrimp (that you get from the store, it was not living)

3. How big do these guys get? I am going to have an open 30 gal. soon and if I get him... I was going to get the "baby" lion and put him in there (by himself) until I have the accomodations for a larger saltwater tank...

You know how it is.. The tanks get bigger.. BIGger... and BIGGER!!!!

Also.. keep in mind that everything I have right now is freshwater...
Regarding upkeep to a saltwater tank... Is it anymore difficult than keeping a freshwater.. I have no problems with my tanks or fish. They all eat from my hand which is REALLY exciting for me to watch them... They are SPOILED ROTTEN LOL.

 

[Cartman102]

1) Don't get stung then you don't have to worry.

2) If it was frozen shrimp.....that is GOOD! Tells you that he is eating frozen foods. Lions are sort of picky eaters, like mine. SOme will go on hunger strikes, like mine again. Lions are tough to get on frozens but once they are wean it's downhill from here.

3) What lion you interested in? I would say no to a volitan since they need bigger than a 55gal. You could easily have a dwarf lion. But if your gonna upgrade wait untill you upgrade before getting a volitan lion. Lions are fairly easy fish but will do some weird stuff.

 

[Owens187]

wear arm-length gloves when your hands are in the tank. Bob Fenner states in his book, he has had lions come after his hand, head down-fins raised, challenging him. he recomends at least 30 gallons for an adult volitans, but that means the lion is the only fish in the tank.

 

[FreddytheFish]

1) I wouldn't worry too much about getting stung. They (generally) won't charge after your hand, but don't attempt to hand feed.

2) Its its eating frozen, then one of the hardest parts of keeping lions is already solved.

3) They get big, 15". That's like a basketball floating in your tank. I wouldn't keep one in anything less than a 90, preferably a 125.

However, there are some beautiful dwarf lions that would be perfect for a smaller tank.

Owens: I don't trust Bob Fenner. A 30 is no where near enough for a volitan.