Regret buying dwarf lions.

[pythpyth]

Hi all,

I dont like posting this at all, but I do regret buying 2 dwarf lions. I got them for a few months now, I do like their personalities but I miss real ''fish'' in my tank. I knew beforehand as well but I thought that it wouldn`t be to bad. But not having movement at all in my tank makes me regret them. I love watching my corals, but I do miss some playful fish. When I am at my LFS and watch the little occelaris and wrasse play around I can only tell myself ''you can`t have them'' same goes for cleaner shrimp etc I love inverts but not being to have some outside of hermits it just feels boring. I don`t really know what my question is. But what should I do?

Thanks all!

 

[BryanM]

If you regret them, why not ask the LFS if they will take them back in trade?

 

[bryanfuel1]

Give them back to the LFS, or get some fish that are compatible with them if you have the size for it.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

What size tank are we talking about here?

When I think Lions in reef tanks, I always think about Felicia's legendary 40g softie tank:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/md-2016-04-felicias-40-gallon-mixed-reef-predator-tank

 

[pythpyth]

What size tank are we talking about here?

When I think Lions in reef tanks, I always think about Felicia's legendary 40g softie tank:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/md-2016-04-felicias-40-gallon-mixed-reef-predator-tank

55 gallon, she had a nice tank indeed :)

 

[pythpyth]

Give them back to the LFS, or get some fish that are compatible with them if you have the size for it.

Yea thats kind the issue, if I had like a 100 gallon it would’ve been easier to get some bigger fish around them. But I got a 55 gallon.

But I should chat with my LFS, I dont know what withholds me..

 

[littlefoxx]

Do you feed frozen foods to them? When I kept my 4 lions I had fish big and small with them no issues at all. Rehomed them only because I got stung and found out I was deathly allergic to them. Went ambulance and all to the hospital. But I digress!

 

[pythpyth]

If you regret them, why not ask the LFS if they will take them back in trade?

Yea something withholds me kinda feels like failing or being a bad owner. But I should get over that and contact them..

 

[pythpyth]

Do you feed frozen foods to them? When I kept my 4 lions I had fish big and small with them no issues at all. Rehomed them only because I got stung and found out I was deathly allergic to them. Went ambulance and all to the hospital. But I digress!

I remember your name and story yeah! They are on frozen food indeed, they eat well. Mysis and some gut loaded guppies which I breed for them. Getting new fish with them feels like a gamble? They are not that big yet, but yeah just not certain.

 

[littlefoxx]

I remember your name and story yeah! They are on frozen food indeed, they eat well. Mysis and some gut loaded guppies which I breed for them. Getting new fish with them feels like a gamble? They are not that big yet, but yeah just not certain.

If they are young then you should be fine. I kept smaller damsels, gobies, blennies, dottybacks, clowns, grammas ect with mine no issues. The only predator thats ever eaten any of fish is Ivar my dragon eel. He thinks cleaner wrasses are food for whatever reason. But yeah I think you would be okay. Every lion is different for sure but I had a fuzzy, fu, zebra dwarves and a volitin. None ever ate a fish of mine

 

[KrisReef]

I remember your name and story yeah! They are on frozen food indeed, they eat well. Mysis and some gut loaded guppies which I breed for them. Getting new fish with them feels like a gamble? They are not that big yet, but yeah just not certain.

Edit(not sure why I replied to @pythpyth ?- except that I'm losing my mind.)

I would rehome them so that they have a home where they are loved for the dangerous ambush predators that they are. If you don't like them then I would say they deserve a better chance than what you have to give.

I like looking at lions at the stores, and a bunch of other fish that I will not bring home. My fish at home are my fish buddies, and if I didn't eagerly love them then I would give them away for their benefit, not my own.

Do you like my earrings? :face-with-hand-over-mouth: :cool:

 

[DanP-SD]

If your filtration is strong, which I assume it is with lionfish, you aren’t trying for ultra low nutrients and you keep the total number of fish low, you can probably get away with a few larger fish. I’d avoid anything that gets too big (like naso tangs, large angelfish, etc.), or fish that need a ton of open swimming space (most tangs) but you could probably house a smallish purple tang, full adult dwarf angel (just make sure it’s bigger than the lions’ mouths), Foxface, or even a pair of blue jaw or Niger triggers.

All of these fish would be happier in a larger tank but, if you don’t crowd the tank with a lot of fish or coral and you design your rock scape with a lot of caves, tunnels and other openings, you can probably get away with a few of them. You may need to rehome them if they outgrow the tank.

You may find you’ll have a happier reef if you just rehome the lions now and go with the smaller community fish suited for a 55 gallon but, if you’re sent on keeping them, I think fewer medium fish will work better than taking your chances with snack-sized tank mates. I’ve kept a lot of lionfish and I don’t think you can conclude with confidence that any fish smaller than the lion’s mouth is safe.

 

[pythpyth]

Edit(not sure why I replied to @pythpyth ?- except that I'm losing my mind.)

I would rehome them so that they have a home where they are loved for the dangerous ambush predators that they are. If you don't like them then I would say they deserve a better chance than what you have to give.

I like looking at lions at the stores, and a bunch of other fish that I will not bring home. My fish at home are my fish buddies, and if I didn't eagerly love them then I would give them away for their benefit, not my own.

Do you like my earrings? :face-with-hand-over-mouth: :cool:

Yea I totally agree with you!

 

[Uncle99]

Nothing wrong with changing concept.
Done that several times.
It is a “hobby”
Re home and start again!

 

[pythpyth]

If your filtration is strong, which I assume it is with lionfish, you aren’t trying for ultra low nutrients and you keep the total number of fish low, you can probably get away with a few larger fish. I’d avoid anything that gets too big (like naso tangs, large angelfish, etc.), or fish that need a ton of open swimming space (most tangs) but you could probably house a smallish purple tang, full adult dwarf angel (just make sure it’s bigger than the lions’ mouths), Foxface, or even a pair of blue jaw or Niger triggers.

All of these fish would be happier in a larger tank but, if you don’t crowd the tank with a lot of fish or coral and you design your rock scape with a lot of caves, tunnels and other openings, you can probably get away with a few of them. You may need to rehome them if they outgrow the tank.

You may find you’ll have a happier reef if you just rehome the lions now and go with the smaller community fish suited for a 55 gallon but, if you’re sent on keeping them, I think fewer medium fish will work better than taking your chances with snack-sized tank mates. I’ve kept a lot of lionfish and I don’t think you can conclude with confidence that any fish smaller than the lion’s mouth is safe.

Exactly I don`t like to risk with lifes of smaller fish.. I know stories of people succeeding, but I can`t forgive myself if for my sakes I`ll just gamble their lifes.. And I do like the nano view, goldfish in a bowl is not a pleasant sight.

 

[fishywishy]

55 gallon, she had a nice tank indeed :)

You have room for some fish that wont get eaten. For example, A big dwarf angel(coral b, flame, bicolor), tomni tang, full sized flame hawkfish, a couple of full sized maroon clowns, and a yellow wrasse will all be completely fine.

You might have to upgrade your filtration a little bit though.

 

[pythpyth]

You have room for some fish that wont get eaten. For example, A big dwarf angel(coral b, flame, bicolor), tomni tang, full sized flame hawkfish, a couple of full sized maroon clowns, and a yellow wrasse will all be completely fine.

You might have to upgrade your filtration a little bit though.

Hmm yea, I do got alot of euphyllia though. Got a nice patch of GSP for something to nip at. But would like to keep my euphyllia ''safe'' haha. I don`t dare to do a tang, even though I got quite some swimming space. Not alot of rocks in my DT, but yea I want them to thrive and not survive :) I love the flame hawkfishes as well, but something like maroons would be better for a bit more activity. And for wrasse I have been looking at the chrysus. I do like that one!

And I got a fleece filter + skimmer :)

 

[pythpyth]

Nothing wrong with changing concept.
Done that several times.
It is a “hobby”
Re home and start again!

Thank you :)

 

[vetteguy53081]

The concern is what will fit in their mouths but Ive seen attempts to swallow fish too big for their mouths.
My old saying " Any fish that will fit in another fishs' mouth Sooner or later will "