Radiata Lionfish, Clearfin Lionfish

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You are here: Home » Fish » Lionfish » Radiata Lionfish

Radiata Lionfish

Scientific Name

Pterois radiata

Reef Compatible

With Caution

Care Level

Intermediate

Disposition

Semi-aggressive

Min. Tank Size

30 gallons

Mature Size

9.5 inches

Diet

Carnivore

Range

Maldives, Sri Lanka, Tahiti

Size Class

view chart

Curator's Note

Effective the 1st of August 2014, The State of Florida, by rule of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), have banned the import of Lionfish of the genus Pterois to that state. Blue Zoo Aquatics will not ship this genus of Lionfish to the State of Florida.

Other Common Names

Clearfin Lionfish, Tailbar Lionfish

Description

The Radiata Lionfish is collected from the Red Sea and is not common in the aquarium trade as it’s similar looking cousin P. antennata. The Radiata Lionfish will tend to be shy in brightly lit aquariums but will adjust with time and make brief appearances. However, it will always prefer to spend it’s time in caves, overhangs and other shady spots. It is best to keep the Dwarf Lionfish with lesser aggressive tankmates. The Radiata Lionfish can be kept in pairs or small groups in larger aquariums.

Lionfish will eat smaller fishes, ornamental shrimps and crabs. This species is venomous. The pelvic, pectoral and dorsal fins of this animal can cause extreme pain. If allergic, severe reactions can occur. If stung soak injured area in hot water and seek medical attention immediately. Smaller specimens will adapt to captivity and accept captive diets more easily. Lionfish will likely remain hidden in brightly lit aquariums as it prefers dimmer lighting.

Diet

Though we do our best to work with our Lionfish prior to shipping to accept a captive diet, many may revert back to live foods only due to the stress of shipping. Sometimes our Lionfish are not in our facility long enough for us to get very far in this process as well. If your Lionfish is not eating, we recommend feeding live Feeder Shrimp mixed with frozen mysis shrimp. Slowly increase the frozen mysis shrimp and decrease on the live Feeder Shrimp. Eventually cut out the live food all together. This can take a few days or a few weeks depending on the stress level, health, age, and willingness on the individual animal.

Brine Shrimp as a live food source is acceptable providing that you ‘gut load’ the live brine shrimp with phytoplankton, Kent Marine Zoe, Zoecon or any other liquid vitamin. Once past the 24 hour period after hatching, brine shrimp lose their nutritional value as the juveniles (called Artemia) have consumed their egg yolk sac which leaves the Brine Shrimp have little to no nutritional value. ‘Gut Loading’ consists of soaking the Brine Shrimp in a solution of some type of liquid vitamin for about 10 to 15 min. prior to feeding. This ensures that the animal, though hesitant to consume a captive diet, will be getting some sort of nutritional benefit. Frozen Brine Shrimp are dead and unable to consume or soak up any liquid vitamins and are not suitable to use with this method.