Antennata lionfish (Pterois antennata) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Spotfin lionfish, Banded lionfish, Broadbarred firefish, Ragged-finned firefish, Roughscaled lionfish, Pteropterus antennatus
Family
Scorpaenidae (scorpionfishes and lionfishes)
Origin
Tropical Indian and western Pacific Oceans, Gulf of Aden and South Africa to French Polynesia, Japan and Australia; lagoon and seaward reefs at 2–86 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
20 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
250 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

Provide caves and overhangs where it can rest by day; it is most active after dusk. The 250-litre minimum is our estimate. Name note: the species has recently been moved to the genus Pteropterus (Pteropterus antennatus), and the list's spelling "Antenneta" is a typo for antennata. Water figures given here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity SG 1.023–1.026, with stable, well-oxygenated water. Safety: the fin spines are venomous. A sting is extremely painful and can cause swelling, nausea and breathing difficulty. Use long-handled tools and a net or container, never bare hands, when working in the tank; if stung, immerse the wound in water as hot as can be tolerated and seek medical help. Usually solitary and defends a home range against other lionfish. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern; it is common in the trade. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pteroisantennata). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats crustaceans and small fish, including young of its own kind. Wean on to frozen foods such as prawn, krill, mysis and silversides; avoid feeding live freshwater fish. Feed every other day for adults.

Breeding

Spawns monthly in the wild: females release up to 15,000 eggs in a mucus mass, which hatch after about 36 hours. Not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe with caution: it leaves corals alone but will eat shrimps, crabs and any fish small enough to swallow. Keep with fish too large to swallow and avoid fin-nippers. Usually one lionfish per tank unless the tank is large.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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