Species Profile

Dwarf Fuzzy Lionfish

Dendrochirus brachypterus

Also known as: Shortfin Lionfish, Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish

Lionfishsemi-aggressive

Adult size

7″

Minimum tank

55 gal

Temperature

72–82°F

8.1–8.4

Schooling

Solitary OK

Water level

mid

Grows from juvenile

Typically sold at ~2″ and reaches 7″ over ~2 years. Plan tank size for the adult, not the fish at purchase.

Diet

Live grass shrimp at first, transitioned to frozen silversides + krill

Notes

Smaller, hardier alternative to Volitans Lionfish. Venomous spines — handle only with gloves. Eats fish small enough to fit in its mouth (1–2″). Can coexist with similar-sized non-venomous fish in FOWLR builds.

Build a tank →Photo credits

Photo: Richard Ling / Wikimedia Commons · Source · CC-BY-SA-2.0