Volitans lionfish

Care at a glance

The volitans lionfish, with its long, fan-shaped pectoral fins and red-and-white banding, is one of the best-known marine fish in the world. It hunts at dusk: hovering slowly, it herds prey into a corner and then draws it in with one explosive movement.

Its spines contain venom; a sting is very painful for people and warrants medical attention, so work carefully in the tank. Anything that fits in its mouth gets eaten, and it grows large, so plan for a big tank with only larger tankmates.

Good to know

• Venomous spines — handle with care
• Outgrows most home tanks
• Preys on shrimp and snails
• Active at night

Best not combined with

• Firefish gobyNemateleotris magnifica
• Green chromisChromis viridis
• Neon gobyElacatinus oceanops
• Cleaner shrimpLysmata amboinensis
• Fire shrimpLysmata debelius

Related species

• Lined seahorseHippocampus erectus
• Yellow boxfishOstracion cubicum
• Dogface pufferArothron nigropunctatus
• Dwarf seahorseHippocampus zosterae
• Marine betta (comet)Calloplesiops altivelis
• Porcupine pufferDiodon holocanthus