Tank setup
Size the aquarium to Lionfish's adult size and activity level. Match décor to natural behaviour — plants, rockwork, or open swimming room as needed.
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Lionfish.
Community Marketplace
Fellow hobbyists may also be selling Lionfish.
Want Lionfish?
Tell shops you're looking — be the first to signal demand.
Overview
What to know before you buy.
A dramatic and highly venomous predator recognized by its flowing pectoral fins. It is a slow, solitary hunter that will eat any fish or shrimp small enough to fit in its mouth.
Key traits
predator
solitary
large
moderate
carnivore
Compatibility
Select a tank to see how this species fits.
Care guide
Everything you need to keep Lionfish healthy in a South African setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 8–8.4 and 24–27°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers — acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Lionfish is an omnivore. Feed a varied diet appropriate for saltwater fish — quality flakes, pellets, or frozen foods sized to the mouth.
Behaviour
Lionfish is generally peaceful. Observe during feeding and at lights-out for true temperament.
Tankmates
Pair with similarly sized peaceful tankmates in saltwater fish. Avoid fin-nippers or species that outgrow this fish.
Breeding
Breeding notes for Lionfish vary by line and water chemistry — ask your local shop about proven pairs in SA.
Keeping marine fish?
Marine chemistry moves daily — the foundation sets keep calcium, alkalinity and magnesium honest.
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Photo by FishHubAdmin
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price history — last 90 days
SA price range this month: R450–600 · Average: R525
This data is unique to FishHub
Demand by province
No active alerts for Lionfish yet. Be the first to set one.
Often kept with
Real pairwise verdicts for Lionfish, not a same-category guess. Always confirm adult size and your tank's specifics before buying.
- Often kept together
Coral Hawkfish
Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus
In a 100L+ tank
- Needs care
Orange Sakura Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. 'Orange Sakura'
Lionfish is significantly more aggressive than Orange Sakura Shrimp and may bully or stress it.
- Needs care
Percula Clownfish
Amphiprion percula
Lionfish is significantly more aggressive than Percula Clownfish and may bully or stress it.
- Needs care
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Lionfish is significantly more aggressive than Skunk Cleaner Shrimp and may bully or stress it.
- Needs care
Six-spot Goby
Valenciennea sexguttata
Lionfish is significantly more aggressive than Six-spot Goby and may bully or stress it.
In a 200L+ tank
- Needs care
Thai Micro Crab
Limnopilos naiyanetri
Lionfish is significantly more aggressive than Thai Micro Crab and may bully or stress it.
- Needs care
Tiger Shrimp
Caridina mariae
Lionfish and Tiger Shrimp prefer different pH ranges — fine with captive-bred stock, but worth monitoring.
- Needs care
Malaysian Trumpet Snail
Melanoides tuberculata
Lionfish is significantly more aggressive than Malaysian Trumpet Snail and may bully or stress it.