Page 267 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

LIONFISH AND SCORPIONFISH 265

Pterois antennata Pterois miles
Spotfin Lionfish Devil Lionfish The fins of this lionfish are very broad and banded
along their length, rather than tapering to a point.
ORIGINS From East Africa and the Red Sea through the ORIGINS Distribution restricted to the vicinity of the Lionfish are initially reluctant to take inert foods.
Indo-Pacific to eastern Asia and Australia. Red Sea and East Africa. Offering them goldfish as a substitute diet is not
SIZE 8 in (20 cm). SIZE 12 in (30 cm). recommended: quite apart from welfare concerns,
DIET Fish-based foods. DIET Invertebrates and fish-based foods. the lionfish are likely to overeat and may die from
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline gut impaction and liver failure. Weaning a lionfish
(pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. onto prepared foods can be achieved by using
TEMPERAMENT Tends to prey on smaller companions. TEMPERAMENT Tolerant of its own kind. feeding tongs to dangle food near the mouth.
The dark spots with white edging running across
the pectoral fins are clearly apparent when the fins
are extended. If the fin rays are damaged, they will
usually regrow over the course of several months,
but perhaps not to their previous length. Lionfish
may live for 12 years or more in an aquarium.
Shape of fish
resembles
seaweed

Dendrochirus biocellatus Dendrochirus brachypterus
SEDENTARY SCORPIONS
Fumanchu Lionfish Shortfin Lionfish
Scorpionfish, such as the Merlet Scorpionfish
(Rhinopias aphanes) pictured below, are ORIGINS The Pacific region, from the coast of Southeast ORIGINS Range extends from the Red Sea and the
sedentary, making them difficult to spot Asia northward toward Japan and south to Australia. Indo-Pacific to islands in Oceania.
against the background of the reef. Species SIZE 5 in (12.5 cm). SIZE Up to 7 in (18 cm).
that have elaborate fins use them like fans, DIET Invertebrates and fish-based foods. DIET Invertebrates and fish-based foods.
moving them back and forth to steer prey WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
into a position—such as up against a rock— (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024. (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
where it can be engulfed by the surprisingly TEMPERAMENT Safe with placid, similar-sized fish. TEMPERAMENT Safe with larger, nonaggressive fish.
large mouth. Lionfish sometimes shake and
twitch unexpectedly: this is normal behavior, The Fumanchu, one of a number of dwarf lionfish,
designed to shed dead skin and displace algae has a prominent pair of eyespots at the rear of its
or even parasites from their bodies. body. Dwarf lionfish mix better with other species
than their larger relatives, but they are unlikely to
breed in the typical home aquarium. Some species
give birth to live young, but most are egg-layers
that spawn near the surface.

The Shortfin Lionfish’s fins are shorter but no
less deadly than those of other lionfish. The males
of this species become darker when in breeding
condition. As with other members of this group,
this fish must not be exposed to bright lighting
above its tank, which could damage its eyes.

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