Volitans Lionfish
|
|
| Common name | Volitans Lionfish |
| Size | 38 cm; 15 inches |
| Origin | The Volitans comes from lagoon and reefs to depths of 50 metres in the Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea. It has even started to appear in the waters off Florida. |
| Compatibility | They are reef compatible, but because they produce large volumes of waste, they are not the greatest choice for a reef tank. |
| Maintenance | Voitans are a good choice for the intermediate level aquarist, as they adapt well to aquarium life. They are disease resistant and are almost as good as damsels at surviving bouts of poor water quality. |
| Temperature | 22 - 27 C; 72 - 80 F |
| Water chemistry / movement | ph 8.1 - 8.4, specific gravity 1.022 - 1.025 |
| Feeding | The Volitans is a carnivore and eats small fish, shrimp and crabs. They trap their prey by herding them with alternating motions of their pectoral fins. Although Volitans prefer live food, they readily adapt to frozen foods. |
| Sexing | |
| Breeding | Volitans are solitary except when young or when breeding. A male will become darker in color and will attempt to mate with several females. Thousands of eggs are laid in a couple of balls that then drift with the current. The juveniles hatch within 3 days and are free swimming. Breeding in an aquarium is not documented. |
| Comments | The sting of a Volitans is a serious bite, worse than a bee sting. |
| Marine Fish Index |
More marine saltwater fish pictures and information
|
