Devil firefish
Pterois miles
Also known as Devil lionfish, Common lionfish, Indian lionfish
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 8.0–8.4
- Adult size
- 13.8 in
- 35 cm
- Minimum tank
- 106 gal
- 400 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Egg layer
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Family
- Scorpaenidae
- Origin
- Native to the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, and an invasive species in the Mediterranean, living on reefs and rocky ledges.
Overview
The devil firefish is a bold, greedy hunter for a big marine tank. It suits a keeper with some experience.
Did you know
The devil firefish and its near-twin, the red lionfish, are among the worst marine invaders on record. They spread across the entire western Atlantic and into the Caribbean after a small number escaped or were released from aquariums.
Caring for the devil firefish
House a single devil firefish in at least 106 gal (400 L), with rock caves and open water. Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.0 to 8.4.
Feed thawed silversides, marine shrimp and krill from a stick. Avoid live freshwater feeders, which lead to liver problems. It leaves corals alone, but it eats any fish or shrimp that fits in its mouth, so keep only larger tank mates.
Work in the tank with care, since a sting from its spines causes severe pain. Devil firefish reproduce prolifically, and females release floating egg masses year round in warm water.
Good to know
The devil firefish, Pterois miles, is so similar to the red lionfish, Pterois volitans, that the two are often confused. They can only be told apart reliably by fin-ray counts. It has long banded pectoral fans and a crown of 18 venomous spines that deliver a defensive sting.
In the wild
The devil firefish is native to the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, where it lives on reefs and rocky ledges. It is also an invasive species in the Mediterranean.
Common questions
What size tank does a devil firefish need?
A devil firefish needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a devil firefish need?
A devil firefish is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.0–8.4.
What does a devil firefish eat?
A devil firefish eats thawed silversides, marine shrimp and krill, fed from a stick. Avoid live freshwater feeders, which lead to liver problems.
How big does a devil firefish get?
An adult devil firefish reaches about 13.8 in (35 cm).
How does a devil firefish breed?
Devil firefish reproduce prolifically. Females release floating egg masses year round in warm water.
Related species
9.4 in (24 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Radiata lionfish
Pterois radiata
9.4 in (24 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Antennata lionfish
Pterois antennata
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15 in (38 cm)119 gal (450 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Volitans lionfish
Pterois volitans
15 in (38 cm) · 119 gal (450 L)
9.8 in (25 cm)60 gal (227 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Dwarf zebra lionfish
Dendrochirus zebra
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7.1 in (18 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Fuzzy dwarf lionfish
Dendrochirus brachypterus
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5.1 in (13 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Fu Manchu lionfish
Dendrochirus biocellatus
5.1 in (13 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)