Choosing Lionfish Tank Mates
Good Lionfish tank mates share the same temperature and pH window, will not be eaten by (or eat) the Lionfish, and do not compete for the same swimming zone or feeding time. Each pair guide below scores those factors from 0 to 100 and gives the minimum tank size for keeping both species together.
Start with the highest-scoring pairs; anything under 45 is listed so you know what to avoid, not as a recommendation.
Care baseline
Lionfish are popular saltwater aquarium fish known for their striking colors and intimidating spines. These fish require a large tank and careful attention to water parameters. Aggressive by nature, they can be harmful to smaller fish and invertebrates.
| Temperature | 72–82°F |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 |
| Adult size | 15.0 in |
| Minimum group | 1 |