Freshwater Lionfish

Hi guys I need some info on the freshwater lionfish, Batrachomoeus trispinosus.

I was in a pet store today and was shown this really odd weird looking fish, honestly its actually quite scary lol

Is this fish easily found for sale and what price do they usually go for? the one I was shown was in the display tank, the guy in the shop said around R200

Also have any of you guys kept this fish before?

Thanx
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Hi Besh. I have seen these at a shop in PTA before. They are also called FW Stonefish. What I know is they have VERY big mouths, and most fish will fit in there! They are also more brackish than freshwater fish. Thats about as much as I know. Rgds, Marco

 

They are actually brackish water fish. The ones i have seen only eat live fish.

 

Some important info:
The Freshwater Lionfish are carnivores, a predator. Feeding can be a problem because in the wild, they feed on live crustaceans and fish. This fish relies on camouflage and stealth to get a meal so if their prey doesn't swim directly in front of them, they may not get enough to eat. Using aquarium tongs or forceps to hold a small fish, a piece of shrimp, or an earthworm in front of their mouth is a good way to make sure that yours is getting enough to eat. It may take awhile to get one to feed so be patient.
This species is best suited for a saltwater or brackish water tank containing tank mates that are too large to fit into its cavernous mouth. It can only be kept in fresh water for a short time, but it cannot be permanently maintained in freshwater as it will not live for long. Acclimate them to a brackish tank slowly, over a period of about a week. A heavy brackish water of 2.5 % to 3% salinity (density 1.020-1.024) is suggested.
Provide a minimum tank size of 40 gallons or more for a juvenile. Larger fish will need much more room with 100 gallons or more being best. A gravel bottom along with rock caves to provide some hiding cover is recommended to keep one in good condition.
They can get up to 30cm.
more info at http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/miscellaneous/FreshwaterLionfish.php

 

Hey Besh I had one off these guys a few years ago, Really ugly looking, difficult to feed, they have a spiney skin and if touched can cause some pain but not poisonous, this fish even makes a croaking noise that made me sh*t scared sounds like a frog. It died after about 3 months of having him and it initially costed me R150 for it. I won't recommend this fish to anyone to keep.

 

LOl. you just influenced the sale . .

 

This is one wacky fish, now I want one!!

 

see its faced with the same problem with feeding as the saltwater lionfish and stonefish, i think if you have some feeder mollies in the tank all the time it will be fine, the mollies will also survive in the brackish water.it will hunt them and be fine, it will be great for a species tank

 

The butterfly/wasp goby looks more like lionfish to me. They also have a nasty sting.
Brakish though.

 

am i the only person here who thinks these stone fish are rather ugly???

just my opinion lol please dont murderalize me lol

 

nope, you are not alone. . .they are horrible looking!