TankBud

Dwarf zebra lionfish

Dendrochirus zebra

Also known as Zebra Lionfish, Zebra Turkeyfish, Zebra Firefish

SaltwaterFish

Dwarf zebra lionfish (Dendrochirus zebra)
Jens Petersen · CC BY 2.5

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
9.8 in
25 cm
Minimum tank
60 gal
227 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Not reef safe
Family
Scorpaenidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to Indonesia and eastern Australia

Overview

Like the other dwarf lionfish, this is an ambush hunter that leaves tankmates alone unless they fit in its mouth, so avoid small fish, gobies, and any ornamental shrimp or crab, since none of those are safe around it. It is not reef safe for the tank's inhabitants even though the coral itself is never at risk. Newly acquired fish are often started on live feeder shrimp and should be patiently weaned onto fresh or frozen silversides and shrimp. Its dorsal spines are venomous and produce a sting similar to a bad bee sting, so never handle this fish bare-handed, treat any sting immediately with hot water, and follow up with medical care.

In the wild

Found on coral, rock, and rubble bottoms across the Indo-Pacific, in inshore waters down to about 80 meters. It shelters among reef structure by day and hunts small fish and crustaceans at night, sometimes alongside one or two others. A tank should offer plenty of live rock with caves and overhangs, along with dim or subdued lighting, since bright light seems to stress this species.

Good to know

Dendrochirus zebra is a scorpionfish in the family Scorpaenidae, close kin to the fuzzy dwarf lionfish but growing larger, to about 25 cm, with bolder orange, white, and black banding and broader, more heavily marked pectoral fins. All lionfish are immune to each other's venom, and this species has been observed hunting cooperatively in small groups of two or three, herding prey between them and taking turns to strike, a level of coordination that is unusual among ambush predators.

Did you know

Unlike most lionfish, which hunt alone, zebra lionfish have been documented hunting in small cooperative groups on the reef, working together to pin prey against the rock rather than each fish striking on its own.

Common questions

What size tank does a Dwarf zebra lionfish need?

A Dwarf zebra lionfish needs at least 60 gal (227 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Dwarf zebra lionfish need?

A Dwarf zebra lionfish is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

How big does a Dwarf zebra lionfish get?

An adult Dwarf zebra lionfish reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).

Related species