Parapterois heterura
| Identification | A slender, elegant and elusive lionfish, sandy-brown to grey with fine barring, set apart by its striking deep blue-to-black pectoral fins (delicately pale-spotted) and long trailing filaments on the tail. Also called the Bluefin Lionfish or Blackfoot Firefish. |
|---|---|
| Maximum Length | about 7–8″ |
| Origin | Indo-West Pacific — the Western Pacific and the southeastern coast of Africa; a deeper, sand-dwelling species |
| Minimum Tank Size | 55 Gal. with open sand |
| Reef Compatibility | Reef safe with caution |
Behavior
A secretive, deeper-water lionfish that lives over open sand and rubble rather than reef rock, spreading its beautiful blue pectoral fans to herd and corner prey. Shy and rarely offered in the trade, it makes a fascinating specimen for a dedicated keeper. It ignores corals but is a patient predator of small fishes and crustaceans.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivore. Offer meaty foods on a feeding stick — mysis, silversides and pieces of marine fish and shrimp. Many individuals need live food to begin, then wean onto frozen.
Cautions
The dorsal spines are venomous and give a painful sting — handle with great care and seek medical attention if stung. As a sand-dweller it needs an open sandy bottom, not a rock-packed reef, and being shy it is easily outcompeted for food, so target-feed it. It will eat small fish and shrimp.