comparing cowfish and lionfish

[Marinix]

I'm curious about keeping a dwarf lion with a cowfish - I know lionfish are notorious for swallowing anything whole, but cowfish have that protective armor. Has anyone had any experience with this combo? Also, would they thrive in a 55G tank?

[coltin]

As long as the lionfish can't swallow the cowfish whole, they should coexist without issues. A 55g tank should provide them with plenty of space. One thing to keep in mind, though, is the cowfish will require smaller food pieces due to its limited mouth size, while the lionfish can handle larger portions.

[fleeton]

Honestly, I'd advise against it, but not because I'm concerned about the cowfish. My worry is actually for the lionfish. When startled or scared, cowfish are known to release toxic chemicals that can be lethal to many marine organisms, leading to a rapid tank crash. In my opinion, cowfish should only be paired with peaceful tankmates and shouldn't be kept by anyone who isn't prepared to risk losing their entire tank.

[zenoxa]

I'm concerned about the compatibility of these two fish, to be honest. Lionfish are generally peaceful, but I think the tank size is a major issue here. The potential toxicity of the cowfish is also a worry. These fish can grow quite large, and I think a 55G tank will be insufficient in the long run. I'd recommend swapping the cowfish for a more suitable companion, like a filefish or a dwarf puffer, which are known for being more laid-back.

[Marinix]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I was considering a 55G but I think I'll hold off and upgrade to a 100+ instead, I'd rather give my fish the space they deserve and avoid any potential issues.