[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – Directory of Marine Fish – Lionfish and Scorpionfish

Directory of Marine Fish

Lionfish and Scorpionfish

Beautiful but potentially deadly, the members of this family are equipped with a painful venom. Their tank needs to be serviced with great care, because it is easy to catch a hand on one of their stinging spines. Transferring fish between tanks also needs to be carried out with caution. Never be tempted to use your hand to free a fish that becomes enmeshed in the material of the net, since this can result in a painful sting. Make sure you use a net that is large enough to accommodate the entire fish, and then, having caught it, invert the net carefully to let the fish swim out on its own. It will soon free itself, even if it is initially caught up in the netting.

Goose Scorpionfish (Rhinopias frondosa)

• ORIGINS: Ranges from East Africa across the Pacific to Indonesia, southern Japan, and the Caroline Islands.
• SIZE: 9 in (23 cm).
• DIET: Fish-based foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Reasonably compatible with its own kind.

The color of these fish varies across their range and can also be influenced by their surroundings. Predatory by nature, they are not suitable for keeping with smaller fish or invertebrates. They ambush their prey, since they are not powerful swimmers. Like lionfish, their eyes are located on the top of the head, ensuring good visibility

Volitans Lionfish (Pterois volitans)

• ORIGINS: The Pacific region, from the Malay Peninsula to Japan, the eastern coast of Australia, and Pitcairn Island.
• SIZE: 15 in (38 cm).
• DIET: All meat-based foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Smaller companions will be eaten.

Slow-moving by nature, the Volitans Lionfish is one of the larger members of its group. It spends more time swimming in the middle and upper layers of the tank than related species. The rays forming both dorsals fin are separate; the pectoral fins on either side of the body are partly divided.

Clearfin Lionfish (Pterois radiata)

• ORIGINS: Occurs over a very wide area, from the Red Sea eastward across the Indo-Pacific to Oceania.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Fish-based foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Will prey on invertebrates.

The white banding on the tail and the white tips to the dorsal and pectoral fins are characteristic of the Clearfin. If you are stung by any lionfish, put your hand in hot water to coagulate the venom, and pour vinegar on the wound to ease the pain. You should seek prompt medical advice.

Spotfin Lionfish (Pterois antennata)

• ORIGINS: From East Africa and the Red Sea through the Indo-Pacific to eastern Asia and Australia.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Fish-based foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Tends to prey on smaller companions.

The dark spots with white edging running across the pectoral fins are clearly apparent when the fins are extended. If the fin rays are damaged, they will usually regrow over the course of several months, but perhaps not to their previous length. Lionfish may live for 12 years or more in an aquarium.

Devil Lionfish (Pterois miles)

• ORIGINS: Distribution restricted to the vicinity of the Red Sea and East Africa.
• SIZE: 12 in (30 cm).
• DIET: Invertebrates and fish-based foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Tolerant of its own kind.

The fins of this lionfish are very broad and banded along their length, rather than tapering to a point. Lionfish are initially reluctant to take inert foods. Offering them goldfish as a substitute diet is not recommended: quite apart from welfare concerns, the lionfish are likely to overeat and may die from gut impaction and liver failure. Weaning a lionfish onto prepared foods can be achieved by using feeding tongs to dangle food near the mouth.

SEDENTARY SCORPIONS

Scorpionfish, such as the Merlet Scorpionfish (Rhinopias aphanes) pictured below, are sedentary, making them difficult to spot against the background of the reef. Species that have elaborate fins use them like fans, moving them back and forth to steer prey into a position—such as up against a rock— where it can be engulfed by the surprisingly large mouth. Lionfish sometimes shake and twitch unexpectedly: this is normal behavior, designed to shed dead skin and displace algae or even parasites from their bodies.

Fumanchu Lionfish (Dendrochirus biocellatus)

• ORIGINS: The Pacific region, from the coast of Southeast Asia northward toward Japan and south to Australia.
• SIZE: 5 in (12.5 cm).
• DIET: Invertebrates and fish-based foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Safe with placid, similar-sized fish.

The Fumanchu, one of a number of dwarf lionfish, has a prominent pair of eyespots at the rear of its body. Dwarf lionfish mix better with other species than their larger relatives, but they are unlikely to breed in the typical home aquarium. Some species give birth to live young, but most are egg-layers that spawn near the surface.

Shortfin Lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus)

• ORIGINS: Range extends from the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific to islands in Oceania.
• SIZE: Up to 7 in (18 cm).
• DIET: Invertebrates and fish-based foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Safe with larger, nonaggressive fish.

The Shortfin Lionfish’s fins are shorter but no less deadly than those of other lionfish. The males of this species become darker when in breeding condition. As with other members of this group, this fish must not be exposed to bright lighting above its tank, which could damage its eyes.

[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – David Alderton (Photo by Max Gibbs)