How big does Lionfish get?

Lionfish reaches an adult standard length of 30–38 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does Lionfish need?

24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, 7–12 dGH, 7–9 dKH, specific gravity 1.023–1.026. That is only 3 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.

What is the smallest tank for Lionfish?

At least 300 L, and no shorter than 120 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.

What is Lionfish like to keep?

Temperament: predator. Difficulty: moderate. It occupies the all levels and is carnivore. Reef safety is "Use caution".

Can Lionfish be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Not recommended together". Lionfish and Ocellaris Clownfish is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.

G-01 / 68Marine

Lionfish狮子鱼

Pterois volitans · Scorpaenidae

Fin rays spread like a mane; the most recognisable marine fish, and a total predator.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 68 · Lionfish Pterois volitans

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 狮子鱼
Scientific name: Pterois volitans
Family: Scorpaenidae
Origin: Indo-Pacific coral reefs
Adult size: 30–38 cm
Temperament: Predator
Diet: Carnivore
Water level: All levels
Level: Moderate
Min. tank: 300 L
Min. length: 120 cm
Reef safe: Use caution

Water requirementsMarine

Temp.24–27 °C

pH8.1–8.4

Salinity1.023–1.026 SG

Alkalinity7–9 dKH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1If it fits in the mouth, it will vanish; do not gamble on size.
2Dorsal spines are venomous; always wear thick gloves when working in the tank.
3Starts on live foods; wean from live shrimp or fish onto frozen.
4Eats cleaner shrimp and small crustaceans, so ornamental shrimp will not survive.
5Slow-moving but strikes fast; only very large tankmates are safe.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for Lionfish against this one — no need to pick it again.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Lionfish get?: Lionfish reaches an adult standard length of 30–38 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does Lionfish need?: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, 7–12 dGH, 7–9 dKH, specific gravity 1.023–1.026. That is only 3 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.
What is the smallest tank for Lionfish?: At least 300 L, and no shorter than 120 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.
What is Lionfish like to keep?: Temperament: predator. Difficulty: moderate. It occupies the all levels and is carnivore. Reef safety is "Use caution".
Can Lionfish be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Not recommended together". Lionfish and Ocellaris Clownfish is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.