red lionfish
| Scientific name | Pterois volitans |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | Linnaeus |
| Year of description | 1758 |
| IUCN category (World) | LC |
| Family | Scorpaenidae |
| Genus | Pterois |
Introduction
Pterois volitans, commonly known as red lionfish, is a salt water fish.
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Who is it?
Morphology
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Type
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Average size30 cm
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Maximum size38 cm
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ShapeUnclassifiable
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Mimicryleaf
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Patternvertical stripes
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Type
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Average size30 cm
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Maximum size38 cm
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ShapeUnclassifiable
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Mimicryleaf
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Patternvertical stripes
How to recognize the red lionfish ?
The red lionfish measures between 30 and 38 cm. This fish is tricolore with a predominantly rouge, marron and blanc body. The also has rouge and marron vertical stripes.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietcarnivorous
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Sociabilityliving in a group or alone
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territorialNo
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Way of livingnocturnal
The red lionfish hunts in the stalk and is one of the predators of its biotope. Opportunistic, it does not hesitate to attack any smaller animal nearby.
The red lionfish is a fish living in a group or alone naturally found near the bottom. This species is carnivorous . This fish lives mainly at night. Usually, it leaves its hiding place and starts to be active once it gets dark.
Although the red lionfish is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare qui pond en eau libre
The red lionfish is a fish ovipare qui pond en eau libre.
Risks for humans
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VenomousYes
This species is venomous and can cause serious injuries when touched.
Where to find it?
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
Where to see this species?
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature22 - 26 °C
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Depth10 - 55 m
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FlowMedium, Slow and Stagnant
Biotope presentation
The red lionfish is most often found at a depth between 10m and 55m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.
Main recommendations for fishkeeping
Deontology
In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.
Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.
We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.
Our recommendations
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Min volume1200 liters
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Population min1
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Temperature22 - 26 °C
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pH (acidity)8.2 - 8.4
Characteristics
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Difficulty breedingmoderate
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Robustnessrobust
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Behaviourslightly aggressive
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Availabilityrare
General reminders
It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.
Beware, as this species is potentially dangerous to humans, it requires for its maintenance the obtaining of a "certificate of capacity of breeding". For professionals, it is necessary to have a "certificate of presentation to the public".
General reminder on maintenance datas
Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.
Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.
Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.
Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.
En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.
Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.
Specific needs for the red lionfish
The red lionfish is a marine species which lives naturally at a temperature between 22 °C and 26 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 29°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month. In seawater, it is also possible to remove nitrates using one of the following methods: Jaubert, denitrator on sulfur, biopeletts, vodka method.
The breeding of this species is accessible on condition of being well informed about its needs in aquarium . Any cohabitants must be chosen with care to avoid the loss of animals.
This species is very rare in the aquarium trade. Instead, it is maintained by knowledgeable aquarists who own and breed individuals from wild origin strains. If you want to get this species, we advise you to contact specialized clubs. }Specimens from long time breeding are a bit easier to breed but you have to respect the particular water parameters.
Formal incompatibilities
Cohabitation & Environment
This fish being a predatory species, it is recommended to maintain it in a specific environment, without other species. Indeed, any crustacean or fish of lower size will become a potential prey. A 1200 liter aquarium is the minimum recommended for its maintenance. If you still try to associate it with other species, the cohabitants must be of a size at least comparable to the predator in a much larger volume. The aquarium can be provided with many hiding places and a large space to allow each individual to find refuge if necessary.
To best reproduce the biotope of this species, you can cover the bottom of the tank with sand and put a pile of stones to form caves.
Tips for feeding
The red lionfish is carnivorous.
This species does not appreciate being fed with freeze-dried food (flakes...). Some specimens will never eat this type of food.
You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.
Reproduction protocol
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egg-laying protectionNo
Hybridization risks
In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.
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Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Benoit Chartrer
Patrick Chartrer
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Where to see this species?
Scientific partners
Tags
Species of the same family
Same genus
