Dwarf lionfish in 20gallon?

[kim7]

Hi guys, so I really want a dwarf lionfish in my 20 gallon tank. I know that they require a lot more room, but I wont be able to get a bigger tank. Will it be pretty bad for the fish?

 

[rayn]

Gotta say don't do it. Upgrade of you can, at least a 29 if not more. They like to swim and flap read their fins.

20 would work for a QT though.

 

[kim7]

AW ok. I really want something big/agressive like the lionfish, is there something else that would work in a 20g similar to the lionfish? My tank is a FOWLR

 

[rayn]

Looking for a predator specifically? Does it need to be a swimmer? If not a cockatoo or a leaf fish are both cool. A yellow spot scorpionfish would be nice, but harder to find.

Species tank fowlr could go with a frogfish, but it's the only fish. They are cool and come in a variety of colors

 

[kim7]

Frogfish and anglers or cool, but I want something that swims more often that are predators.....I guess a bigger tank is really needed.

 

[cginter]

Im willing to bet that any small fish you have will become food for that lion fish eventually. I've seen real small dwarf lion fish about the size of my thumb nail before, so with that being said, yeah you could do it but don't be surprised if you loose some small fish down the road if you have any.

 

[rayn]

Tank doesn't have to be huge. Heck catch petco on their dollar a gallon sale and pick a 29 for 29. Easy upgrade and get your lion.

 

[ridawg]

I have a sailfin tang in my 20 gallon

 

[tj w]

I have a sailfin tang in my 20 gallon

That's not too smart. U may research the needs of the fish before u buy them. I have one in my 300 g and he swims all day long through it.

 

[3dees]

I have a sailfin tang in my 20 gallon

I guess that makes it right.

 

[rayn]

Maybe it's the size of a quarter and for QT purposes. If not, I would just tend to ignore the statement all together.

 

[ridawg]

That's not too smart. U may research the needs of the fish before u buy them. I have one in my 300 g and he swims all day long through it.

My sailfin is happy as can be And I did research before the buy

 

[mrsaltwaterguy]

Hi guys, so I really want a dwarf lionfish in my 20 gallon tank. I know that they require a lot more room, but I wont be able to get a bigger tank. Will it be pretty bad for the fish?

I have to echo what others have said and don't do it. Definitely don't listen to the guy who said he has a sailfin in a 20 gallon. I'm assuming you have a 20 long, if so I'd just upgrade to a 29 gallon. It has relatively the same footprint but you'll be able to get away with a dwarf lionfish in that size. It is totally worth it if you ask me, mine is by far my favorite fish. He is so personable and follows me around the tank, constantly begging for food. Otherwise just wait for the future, have it as a dream fish and find another predator that will work for now.

 

[Scott Chitwood]

I had a Dwarf in a 20g for years. Dwarfs tend to perch a lot so swimming isn't one of there down falls. With that being said, a bigger tank would be more suitable for a FOWLR set-up for biological reasons. Going to a 29g isn't really going to do anything for you except give you a few more inches of height. I would recommend a 75g or larger for FOWLR tanks to allow for better filtration. If you do go with the Dwarf in the 20g, I wouldn't add anything else. Just my opinion though.

 

[duckdodgers]

+1

 

[kim7]

I had a Dwarf in a 20g for years. Dwarfs tend to perch a lot so swimming isn't one of there down falls. With that being said, a bigger tank would be more suitable for a FOWLR set-up for biological reasons. Going to a 29g isn't really going to do anything for you except give you a few more inches of height. I would recommend a 75g or larger for FOWLR tanks to allow for better filtration. If you do go with the Dwarf in the 20g, I wouldn't add anything else. Just my opinion though.

Do you mind talking about your experience with your dwarf in 20g. Like, how often did you feed, water changes, what filtration.