considering a volitans lionfish for my tank setup

[felinxo]

Just a quick correction, £79.26 is the equivalent of 200 AUD, not the other way around, that's about 3 times the price of what tetraTim would pay for a lionfish in his local shop.

[zenfox8]

Having seen an adult volitans up close at the local fish store, I'm starting to think four might not be the best idea for my tank. Those things can grow huge, easily reaching 10-12 inches in length and just as wide with their fins spread out.

[tetraTim]

Having seen an adult volitans up close at the local fish store, I'm starting to think four might not be the best idea for my tank. Those things can grow huge, easily reaching 10-12 inches in length and just as wide with their fins spread out.

I did wonder about the size thing, actually it was one of my first questions but no one mentioned it. I had no idea they could get so big, 16 inches is massive, maybe two would be a better idea then.

[zenfox8]

I'm not sure about their temperament in pairs, they seem fine in groups, but it's possible one might become over dominant with just two. It might work out though.

Have you thought about other Pterois species, like P. radiata? I think it's a more attractive fish than the volitans and it's smaller, only getting to about 9 inches, probably more like 7-8 in a tank. And then there's P. antennata, which is even smaller, so you could have a few of them together.