Zebra Lionfish

The zebra lionfish is a smaller, stockier relative of the common lionfish (Pterois volitans). Its body is covered with reddish-brown and white bands. The rays of its pectoral fins are not separate as in the larger lionfish, but joined by the membrane between them; that is why its fins open like a fan. In the aquarium it stays around 18–20 cm, which makes it a suitable lionfish for smaller aquariums.

Venomous spine warning: The dorsal, pelvic and anal spines are venomous; a sting is very painful. Wear gloves when working in the aquarium. If stung, immerse the wound in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45°C, without scalding) for 30–90 minutes and seek medical attention.

Specimens are wild-collected; specimens that adapt to the aquarium can live for many years. Never release it into the wild.

On Indo-Pacific reefs and in lagoons it rests under rock overhangs and in caves during the day; at dusk and at night it hunts small crustaceans and fish.

• Volume: At least 200 liters.
• Water: Salinity specific gravity 1.020–1.025, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• Decor: Caves and overhangs to rest in during the day; a hunting area in front of them.
• Maintenance: A 10–15% water change weekly. Locate the fish before putting your hand into the aquarium; while resting it may blend in with the rock and go unnoticed.
• Reef compatibility: Reef-safe with caution: it leaves corals alone, but eats shrimp, small crabs and fish that fit in its mouth.

Carnivorous. Live food may be needed in the first days; over time it should be weaned onto thawed mysis, shrimp, fish meat and squid with a feeding stick. Live freshwater feeder fish should not be given. Juveniles are fed once a day, adults 3–4 times a week.

Calm and slow; it spends most of its time waiting on the bottom or under an overhang. In the evening, when the lights dim, it becomes more active. It is a predator: anything that fits in its mouth counts as prey.

Good companions: Calm fish too large to fit in its mouth: tangs, dwarf angelfish (larger specimens), foxface, large cardinalfish, moray eels.

Avoid: Small fish (gobies, cardinalfish, anthias), shrimp, seahorses, fin-nipping triggerfish and pufferfish.

Usually kept as a single specimen. In a large aquarium several dwarf lionfish of similar size can live together.

In the wild, courtship and spawning take place at nightfall; as in the larger lionfish, the eggs are released as floating masses enclosed in mucus. It does not breed in the home aquarium.

• Fatty liver: With overfeeding.
• Skin shedding: Shedding its skin like a thin film is normal.
• Copper sensitivity: It is sensitive to copper treatment.

Cannot be reliably distinguished externally; males may be slightly larger.