Volitan lionfish (Pterois volitans) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Red lionfish, Red firefish
Family
Scorpaenidae (scorpionfishes and lionfishes)
Origin
Native to the Indo-Pacific; introduced and invasive in the western Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and eastern Mediterranean.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
43 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
500 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution
Lifespan
About 10 years

Care

A large, hardy and spectacular lionfish. The 500-litre minimum is our estimate; provide caves, open swimming space and a lid. The list gives 43 cm; the article gives up to 47 cm. 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. Mostly solitary and nocturnal. The list describes it as semi-aggressive. Invasive species: escaped or released aquarium fish are thought to have started the Atlantic invasion in the 1980s, where it now harms native reef fish. Never release a lionfish into the wild. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pteroisvolitans). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Eats crustaceans, other invertebrates and small fish, including its own young, hunting mainly from late afternoon to dawn. Wean on to frozen prawn, krill, squid and fish pieces; feed adults two or three times a week.

Breeding

Courtship involves one male and several females. Each female releases two floating egg masses, up to 30,000 eggs per spawning, which hatch after about 36 hours; larvae drift for about a month. 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 large fish such as groupers, large angelfish, tangs and triggers; avoid fin-nippers.

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

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