Dwarf Lionfish in 200gal

KK

I'm new to salt and I'm planning my tank.

1) can a small lion be kept with coral? I have seen about 50/50 yes/no.
2) I know they will or will try to eat just about anything so, what are suitable tank mates. The lion will be the star of the tank but a couple of others would be nice.
3) i know they will eat most shrimps and snails etc. What can I use for a "cleaning crew" that the lion won't eat?
4) Is having a lion only cool in theory and will it be a nightmare?

Thanx for the help in advance.

 

1) yes they are reef safe, just not invert and small fish safe
2) anything that wont fit in its mouth. i would avoid triggers as i have heard they will bite the spines of the lion(thats just what i have heard, never confirmed it though)
3) i would think snails are safe because im guessing the line cant break the shell, urchins would probably be safe.
4) there not my cup of tea, but it depends upon the person, i like to hand feed and touch my fish.

 

I just have a single Volitan in my tank. So far I have had zero problems. I even keep mine with a coral banded shrimp..I even see the shrimp cleaning him every now and then! I have a feeling that one day he will be gone though haha My corals and hermits are all fine though..he's actually a very gentle fish. I doubt you will want just a dwarf in a 200 gallon tank, though. So be sure to just stock the rest with bigger compatible fish.

Sostoudt-mine eats right out of my hand!!

 

Lions esp the smaller fuzzy dwarfs or fu manchus sometimes have a problem getting food in a large tank if kept with other tank mates... This is esp true if the lion is not eating frozen food yet. If you have a fish that only eats live food at first-feed ghost shrimp over feeder golds please, at least the ghost shrimp have some nutrition and little parasites-you will have a hard time making sure he is the recipient of the food or that the food isn't hiding in a rock crevice.
If you can make sure you have the LFS or whathave you feed the lion frozen first before you buy it.

Also lions put out a lot of waste and the build up of organics in a reef tank is what many reefers have objections to..

Good luck!

 

how would sgt. major fair with the pygmy lion. I think they might be large enus to not get eaten. would they pick on the lion.
if not these, what about another large type damsel

 

A 200G tank will house any lion adequately. They will eat anything that moves that will fit into their mouths though. They are reef safe in that they won't go and eat your zoas or your xenias, but they will eat your cleaner shrimps. Any large non-aggressive fish will be a good tank mate. Personally, I had a sting ray and porcupine as a tank mate to my lion. They all grew up together and got along great for 5 years.

 

I think with a tank that size your really limiting yourself from having a really enjoyable reef experience.
There are so many cool crustaceans and smaller fish that you won't be able to enjoy if you put the dwarf lion in there.
First of all these fish spend most of their time just hanging out on the rocks and don't really exhibit too much interesting behavior.
I speak from experience as i have a seperate 96 gal setup aside from my 210 reef which houses a Fu Manchu, Voltains,Picasso Trigger,Miniatus Grouper, and a Green headed Wrasse.
My advice would be to set up a seperate small tank for the Dwark Fuzzy. He won't need much room as they are not swimmers.
Trust me you will be happier if you don't limit yourself in a tank as big as a 200 gallon.