Lionfish

Care Summary

The Red Lionfish is the definitive FOWLR showpiece fish and one of the most recognizable animals in the hobby, and every cent of the setup cost for housing it correctly is worth it. Handle with real respect: those dorsal spines deliver a venom that causes intense pain for hours, and most envenomation incidents happen during routine maintenance, not dramatic altercations. It will eat any fish or crustacean small enough to fit in its mouth, which is a surprisingly large category given how expandable that jaw is. Weaning it off live feeder fish onto frozen silversides and other prepared prey is important for its long-term health and is achievable with patience.