Lionfish are hunters. They wait patiently, motionless, for their prey (often crustaceans and smaller fish) to come within reach. Then-ZAP! One whip of one of their spines cuts the animal, drops of poison enter the wound, and that animal is a goner! The Lionfish will grab the animal with its' mouth and gulp it down, much like an Anglerfisher does. In captivity, Lionfish like to eat live smaller fish like guppies and goldfish. If you are planning to keep Lionfish in a tank, don't keep them on live fish exclusively. Add in some seafood as well- possibly some shrimp pieces. A report in Sea Scope magazine from 1998 stated that keeping Lionfish on guppies and goldfish alone can cause a deficiency of fatty acids that they need to stay healthy.
Another caution-keep your hands out of the Lionfish tank. Lionfish are not aggressive by nature to people, but if you happen to accidentally brush up against one of their spines while cleaning something out of the tank, you'll be sorry! The sting can feel like a severe bee sting to a painful ache that lasts a month or more. If you are going to clean the tank, check with an aquarium or with a reputable fish seller on the best way to do it.
Lionfish are part of a group of fish commonly called exotic fish. Often, Lionfish get too big for a tank and the owners of the fish don't know what to do with them. The best answer is to check with the fish store where you purchased them and ask if you can sell them back or if someone else may want them. DON'T DUMP THEM IN THE RIVER OR IN THE WATER SYSTEM WHERE YOU LIVE! This is hazadous in many ways. For more information on this new danger to our water systems, click on these links:
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