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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/18/2008 1:11:33 PM
Posts: 374,
Visits: 1,176
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Hey folks,
I am thinking about getting a Fu Manchu lionfish. My LFS has had one for several months that is doing quite nicely, including visibly eating prepared foods. So I might take the plunge and bring him home. My tank is a 45 gallon (200 litre actually) with open rockwork and plenty of caves.
Now, I have done plenty of reading on this topic before. However, I do have a couple questions at the moment.
Mobile Invertebrate Compatiblity
I am trying to convince myself that somehow or another, the Fu Manchu will be compatible with larger mobile invertebrates since the Fu Manchu has such a tiny mouth. However, I also suspect I might just be working really hard to lie myself into believing that. So, out of the following list, are there any critters that might/will make it with the Fu Manchu?
1. Cleaner Shrimp
2. Peppermint Shrimp
3. Coral Banded Shrimp
4. Arrow Crab
5. Emerald Crab
6. Porcelein Crab
Fish Compatiblity
Any of em? Also, how about fish? Right now I have a Red Firefish, Zebra Barred Dartfish and a Scissortail Dartfish. These fish have been in the tank something like 4-6 months and are all quite settled. They have their little burrows and seem to be quite happy and compatible. Will these fish survive the introduction of a Fu Manchu or end up being an expensive lunch?
I am also thinking about eventually getting a pair of Ocellaris Clownfish. This would probably be months down the road from getting the lion so that I can assure he is well settled and established into eating the prepared foods I toss in. Thoughts?
Anyhow, thanks for your time and consideration of my questions.
Paul Thompson
South Ascot, Berkshire, England
Board - West London Reef Club
Webmaster - Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 6:55:30 PM
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Paul-
Thanks for the question.
just like you pointed out fu man chu's (FMC) has considerably smaller mouths than their conspecifics. However it still does open pretty wide. Thats said, I never saw my FMC attempting to eat emerald crabs, cleaner shrimps, arrow crabs, hermit crabs. However i did see them stalk & eat peppermints and small ornamental shrimp.
In regards to fish, again i would tell you that a fish equal in size to the FMC body is safe. They just don't seem to try to eat average size to bigger fish, where the Dendriochryus (zebras & fuzzies) and Pterois seem to at least try, and are frequently successful.
Frank
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"We are continually faced with a series of great opportunities disguised as insolvable problems."- John Gardner
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/18/2008 1:11:33 PM
Posts: 374,
Visits: 1,176
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Hi Frank,
Thanks very much for your response. I am happy to hear that the Fu Manchu is still a reasonable option. Unfortunately when I went by the store yesterday to check up on my potential new specimen, I discovered that it had been sold last weekend after having been there for several months!
So I decided, at the prompting of my 6 & 7 year old daughters, to go in for a pair of black perculas for now and a pair of cleaner shrimp for the tank. I will let those adjust for a month or two and then perhaps talk to the store about looking for another Fu Manchu for me.
Thanks again.
Paul Thompson
South Ascot, Berkshire, England
Board - West London Reef Club
Webmaster - Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society
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