Devil lionfish (Pterois mombasae) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
African lionfish, Deepwater firefish, Frillfin turkeyfish, Pteropterus mombasae
Family
Scorpaenidae (scorpionfishes and lionfishes)
Origin
Tropical Indian Ocean, Kenya to South Africa, Madagascar, the Maldives and India east to the Andaman Sea; soft or rubble bottoms among sponges.
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 rockwork with caves and some open sand. The 250-litre minimum is our estimate. The article gives a published maximum of 31 cm, though about 20 cm is typical. Name note: now placed in the genus Pteropterus. 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. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pteroismombasae). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A predator of small fish and crustaceans. Offer frozen prawn, krill, mysis and fish pieces; feed adults every other day.

Breeding

Not covered in our sources; 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.

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

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