First Aquarium

[PatrickDavies]

hi all,
I was thinking about starting up my first saltwater aquarium and wondering if a Dwarf Lionfish is a good starter fish and how much I should be spending, tank size, ect. Also are there many suitable tank mates or any marine invertebrates.
Thanks

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!!!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/
@eatbreakfast

 

[eatbreakfast]

Dwarf lions are predators, so they produce a lot of waste. Therefore, make sure the tank is properly cycled for the bioload going in.

Also, they can be a challenge to get weaned on prepared food, so do your research and be sure you are ready to take on that responsibility.

 

[Huff747]

And make sure you invest in a lid. I found my fuzzy dwarf lion on the floor, next to the lid I had. I didn't know they were jumpers so I wasn't using the lid. Now I have lids on all my tanks all the time.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Welcome to R2R! IMO a lion fish is probably not the best starter.. the one I had would only eat live foods and that was a real pain, they will also limit what else you can have in your tank and as has been pointed they create lots of waste.

 

[PatrickDavies]

Thanks for the responses,
If not a lion fish then what fish if it could be more aggressive towards food and be able to stay in a tank under 25 gallons
Thanks

 

[eatbreakfast]

A dwarf lion needs a bigger tank than 25g anyway.

Good fish for a 25g include: royal gramma, chalk basslet, yellow assessor, stigmatura blenny.

 

[lapin]

A search of salt water nano fish will bring up results like this
https://www.liveaquaria.com/category/2124/

 

[PatrickDavies]

So no real predatory fish

 

[vetteguy53081]

Predatory or not, Dwarf lion best in an established tank. start with simple fish such as firefish gobies, clownfish and blennies. Damsels are best but become your worst enemies- they're nasty .... no better way to say it

 

[PatrickDavies]

Well what size tank would I need for a dwarf lion or a more aggressive fish that will attack food

 

[vetteguy53081]

Well what size tank would I need for a dwarf lion or a more aggressive fish that will attack food

If your going with smaller sized predatory, as little as 29 gallon but I recommend a 55 gallon which allows room for growth and a size always available on the USED TANK market reasonably priced

 

[PatrickDavies]

Where can I find these tanks

 

[vetteguy53081]

Where can I find these tanks

some LFS will have used tanks,, , craigslist and in your area should be reef groups with members who sell stuff all the time

 

[PatrickDavies]

Thanks you all for the help

 

[dantimdad]

Welcome!

All good comments above.

Have fun! You will want to get a bigger tank soon then go for the predators!

 

[PatrickDavies]

I might be on here again asking if I Tank I have found is any good
Thanks

 

[vetteguy53081]

I might be on here again asking if I Tank I have found is any good
Thanks

That's what R2R is all about

 

[lapin]

Well what size tank would I need for a dwarf lion or a more aggressive fish that will attack food

You want an 8 foot or longer tank to reduce aggression, with a large sump/fuge for nutrient export.

 

[vetteguy53081]

You want an 8 foot or longer tank to reduce aggression, with a large sump/fuge for nutrient export.

He is looking for anvaggressive tank FISH ONLY.. Not everyone has room for a 6ft tank what says an 8ft tank. 4 ft is adequate for his neefs. Nutrient ecpirt unnecessary likely having no coral.