*We cannot ship Lionfish species to the state of Florida.

Care Level: Advanced

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Reef Compatible: No

General Description: The Fu Manchu Lionfish, also known as the Twinspot or Ocellated Lionfish, is native to the Indo-Pacific. It gets its name from the pair of moustache-like appendages on the front of its mouth, a characteristic no other lionfish species possesses. The Fu Manchu lionfish has red, black and white blocks or stripes of coloration along its body, with fan-like pectoral fins and two spots on its dorsal fin. Fu Manchu lionfish are not frequently available; an adult can reach a size of approximately 4 to 5″. Lionfish are sensitive to copper based medications. Caution: Fu Manchu lionfish have a series of venomous spines on their dorsal, pelvic and anal fins that are used in defense. If stung, the sensation is similar to a bee sting but more potent. Remove any part of the spine from the affected area (if applicable) and put the wound underneath the hottest water you can tolerate (not scalding) for 15 – 20 minutes; this breaks down the venom proteins. Then seek the appropriate medical attention. For those that are sensitive to stings, seek medical attention immediately.

Diet Requirements: Fu Manchu lionfish are carnivores. In most cases, lionfish need to be offered live food as a precursor to frozen foods and Fu Manchu lionfish are one of the more difficult species to adapt to captive diets. We recommend giving live ghost shrimp a high quality flake food before feeding them to a lionfish so that they have greater nutritional value. Use a pair of tongs to hold the prey in front of the lionfish so that it begins to associate the tongs with feeding. Some lionfish may turn away or be startled at first, but consistency is key. Once your Fu Manchu lionfish is interested in frozen foods, appropriate options will vary depending on the size of the individual. Examples include brine shrimp, squid, mysis shrimp, krill, and chopped fish to maintain optimal health and coloration. Because lionfish don’t actively swim throughout the day in the water column, they can be target fed every other day. Note: While we strive to offer Fu Manchu lionfish that are eating strictly frozen foods, or a combination of frozen foods and live foods, it is not uncommon for them to revert back to only accepting live foods for a period of time due to the stress of a new environment.

Care Requirements: A minimum 30 gallon aquarium is ideal for smaller specimens. An adult may be more comfortable in 55 gallons or greater, unless you are keeping the Fu Manchu lionfish as the only species. Lionfish appreciate some live rock in the aquarium, especially a cave or two to hang in during the day and at night. Only one Fu Manchu lionfish should be kept in an aquarium. Mixing other genera of lionfish should be approached with caution because of their larger adult sizes. Compatability with other dwarf lionfish species (Dendrochirus; Zebra or Fuzzy) is variable. Fu Manchu lionfish will consume invertebrates and fish small enough to fit in their mouths, making them unsuitable for reef aquariums. Unlike the versatility of Volitan lionfish, the Fu Manchu lionfish should not be kept with overly aggressive tank mates. A more laid back aquarium is ideal, so long that tank-mates are chosen accordingly (i.e., cannot be eaten). Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.

Purchase Size: Small: 2″ to 2-1/2″; Medium: 2-3/4″ to 3-1/2″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.