Radiata lionfish (Pterois radiata) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Tailbar lionfish, Fireworks fish, Radial firefish
Family
Scorpaenidae (scorpionfishes and lionfishes)
Origin
Indian and western Pacific Oceans, South Africa and the Gulf of Aden to Indonesia, the Society and Ryukyu Islands, northern Australia and New Caledonia; rocky reefs to 25 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
24 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
300 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive

Care

A striking lionfish with white bars on the tail. It hides in crevices and caves by day, so provide plenty of rockwork. The 300-litre minimum is our estimate. 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. Mainly nocturnal. Juveniles sometimes turn up in rock pools. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pteroisradiata). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Feeds mainly on crabs and shrimps. Can be slow to accept frozen food; try frozen prawn, krill and mysis, offered in the evening.

Breeding

Not covered in our sources; not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

The list gives no reef-safe rating. It leaves corals alone but specialises in eating crabs and shrimps, so it is not suitable with ornamental crustaceans. Keep with fish too large to swallow.

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

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