A big lionfish question

Tanglover1 · Jan 26, 2023

So my freind was telling me that lionfish can differentiate between tankmate and prey. If they live with a fish for few months (even small) it never eats that fish but I just can't believe that. I think they eat whatever fits in their mouth. Is this true?

Mark Goode · Jan 26, 2023

If it fits in his mouth it will end up there.

Having said that, I had a Volitan Lionfish with a Picasso Trigger which, when introduced, there was no apparent danger. The Lionfish grew fast, and I thought it only a matter of time before the trigger was no more. I traded it for a Spanish Hogfish twice the size, which the Lion ate immediately. So there's some truth in what your friend was saying, but I would not rely on it.

Tanglover1 · Jan 26, 2023

Mark Goode said:
If it fits in his mouth it will end up there.

Having said that, I had a Volitan Lionfish with a Picasso Trigger, which were introduced at the same time. The Lionfish grew fast, and I thought it only a matter of time before the trigger was no more. I traded it for a Spanish Hogfish twice the size, which the Lion ate immediately. So there's some truth in what your friend was saying, but I would not rely on it.

He was saying that when lionfish will be of small size and a fish which is there from beginning of small size will stay from months, it will not eat it

KING KONG · Jan 26, 2023

Tanglover1 said:
He was saying that when lionfish will be of small size and a fish which is there from beginning of small size will stay from months, it will not eat it

You'll soon get a proof :). My demsel is with my lionfish from 5 weeks now. Currently,it is ignoring my demsel and demsel is teasing it. See what next happen

Tanglover1 · Jan 26, 2023

KING KONG said:
You'll soon get a proof :). My demsel is with my lionfish from 5 weeks now. Currently,it is ignoring my demsel and demsel is teasing it. See what next happen

Yaa I hv seen your previous post. I actually don't want to put lionfish but just a question of curiosity :). If your lionfish eats that, please tell me as I am really wanted to know the answer

landlubber · Jan 26, 2023

Wild collected animals, as the name implies, are as wild as it gets. They don't weigh distinction between tankmates and prey. That being said, it might be possible to deter them from eating its tankmates by feeding heavily and giving smaller fish places to hide. Overall its a matter of time though.

lion king · Jan 26, 2023

Nature is nature, @Mark Goode story has more to do with specific species of fish vs familiarity. The lion is an ambush predator, they will not chase down a faster more elusive fish, they will wait for them to come to them. Any new additions can be sized up for prey, and any fish in the tank one day may be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I've seen fish disappear into a volitans stomach after a year or more. They don't think, hey this is my buddy I grew up with, it's an instinctual response, to eat what fits in their mouth.