Dwarf Lion

[tlips]

Hey everyone,
So I’m currently getting my 40 gallon breeder ready. I’ve always loved lionfish but I can’t have a 200 plus gallon tank right now. I saw a fu Man lion and dwarf fuzzy lions at my local fish store and I was curious to see if I could put one in a 40 gallon reef tank. What fish would be ok to house with it?

 

[lion king]

You could get away putting a dwarf lion in the 40 but the trick is going to be finding suitable tank mates. Fish that are going to be happy in a 40 and not too small to eaten by the lion. I do suggest you read through some of my other post concerning long term care for dwarf lion fish.

A fu manchu is a more challenging lion than a fuzzy, it would be a rare occasion if you got him eating a dead only diet substantial enough for long term success. That is if you were not planning to feed a live diet.

My taste in fish are quite different than most, i would be happy with fu and fuzzy in a 40 and that's it. Fish you could consider; a midas blenny or watchman goby. Believe it or not, some blue or yellow tail damsels, the lion may catch them or not; might catch one, then the others learn amd are very illusive. Very questionably a snowflake eel because the tank may be considered too small. While I would consider a 40B the smallest tank for a dwarf lion, the bigger challenge is if you like are most in wanting a variety of active fish, you'll have a very difficult time finding suitable tank mates that won't be eaten.

 

[Han]

How about a jawfish? You’d need to get one of the larger species and have a deep sand bed but they’re a lot of fun to watch. I have a dusky that’s almost 6”, he was fine with my lionfish.

 

[tlips]

You could get away putting a dwarf lion in the 40 but the trick is going to be finding suitable tank mates. Fish that are going to be happy in a 40 and not too small to eaten by the lion. I do suggest you read through some of my other post concerning long term care for dwarf lion fish.

A fu manchu is a more challenging lion than a fuzzy, it would be a rare occasion if you got him eating a dead only diet substantial enough for long term success. That is if you were not planning to feed a live diet.

My taste in fish are quite different than most, i would be happy with fu and fuzzy in a 40 and that's it. Fish you could consider; a midas blenny or watchman goby. Believe it or not, some blue or yellow tail damsels, the lion may catch them or not; might catch one, then the others learn amd are very illusive. Very questionably a snowflake eel because the tank may be considered too small. While I would consider a 40B the smallest tank for a dwarf lion, the bigger challenge is if you like are most in wanting a variety of active fish, you'll have a very difficult time finding suitable tank mates that won't be eaten.

Ya. I’m trying to decide if I want to do a reef community or add a lion and pretty much nothing else

 

[tlips]

How about a jawfish? You’d need to get one of the larger species and have a deep sand bed but they’re a lot of fun to watch. I have a dusky that’s almost 6”, he was fine with my lionfish.

I’ll have to take a look at that

 

[tlips]

I’ll have to take a look at that

Will he be ok in a 40 gallon?

 

[bpro32]

I had a Clarkii clown with my dwarf lions and eel. The Clarkii was about the same size as the lions so it was a good fit.

 

[Han]

Will he be ok in a 40 gallon?

If you’re talking about the dusky jawfish then yes. You’ll need a deep sand bed with rubble and a tight fitting lid, they will jump. As long as you get one too big for the lion to eat he’ll be fine in a 40.

 

[DanConnor]

I kept a fuzzy dwarf solo for quite a while in a 58, and I think it would be fine in a 40. Awesome fish

 

[Terri Caton]

Angler/Frogfish. A few are small enough.

 

[tlips]

I kept a fuzzy dwarf solo for quite a while in a 58, and I think it would be fine in a 40. Awesome fish

I would have to keep one solo in a 40 as well?

 

[DanConnor]

Lion king's advice on that is solid

 

[Gil03]

I have a small fuzzy dwarf in my 525xl right now with tank mates ranging in sizes and he doesn't bother anyone. He eats frozen mysis/LRS/Silversides. I also have a black ribbon eel in my reef that also eats the same thing and doesn't bother anyone as well.