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Antennata lionfish

Pterois antennata

Also known as Spotfin lionfish, Broadbarred firefish, Ragged-finned lionfish, Antennata firefish

SaltwaterFish

Antennata lionfish (Pterois antennata)
BS Thurner Hof · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.0–8.4
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
79 gal
300 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe with caution
Family
Scorpaenidae
Origin
Native to the Indo-Pacific, living on coral and rocky reefs where it shelters in caves by day and hunts at dusk.

Overview

The Antennata lionfish is a slow, deliberate predator that suits a large marine tank with caves. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The Antennata lionfish spreads its pectoral fins to slowly herd smaller fish into a corner. Then it strikes so fast that the prey vanishes in a single visible gulp.

Caring for the Antennata lionfish

Give a single Antennata lionfish at least 79 gal (300 L), with caves and open swimming room. Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.0 to 8.4.

Feed thawed marine shrimp, silversides and chunks of fish from a feeding stick. Avoid a diet of only freshwater feeders, which cause fatty liver disease.

It is coral safe, but it will eat any fish or shrimp small enough to swallow, so choose larger tank mates. Take great care during maintenance, since the spines are venomous even on a healthy-looking fish. A sting is intensely painful and is best treated by immersing the wound in hot water, which breaks down the venom.

Good to know

The Antennata lionfish, Pterois antennata, is a mid-sized lionfish in the family Scorpaenidae. Its long, separated pectoral rays fan out like feathers, and it wears fine barring in red, brown and white. It has spotted membranes and a pair of long tentacles above the eyes. Venom sits in the grooves of its dorsal, pelvic and anal spines and is used purely for defense.

In the wild

The Antennata lionfish is native to the Indo-Pacific, where it lives on coral and rocky reefs. It shelters in caves by day and drifts out at dusk to hunt.

Common questions

What size tank does an Antennata lionfish need?

An Antennata lionfish needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an Antennata lionfish need?

An Antennata lionfish is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.0–8.4.

What does an Antennata lionfish eat?

An Antennata lionfish eats thawed marine shrimp, silversides and chunks of fish, offered from a feeding stick. Do not feed it only freshwater feeders, which cause fatty liver disease.

How big does an Antennata lionfish get?

An adult Antennata lionfish reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

Related species