Coastal Waters
Scorpionfish / Lionfish
More details
Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus)
Pro
Pro
Description
A compact lionfish with flowing, feathery fins and banded reddish-brown hues. Despite its venomous spines, it’s a calm, charismatic predator suited for peaceful predator tanks.
Difficulty Level
Intermediate Care
Region
Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Needs meaty foods, stable water, and caution during handling. Low aggression but venomous.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Occasionally wild-caught but available via captive breeding. Low reef impact if responsibly sourced.
Origin
Found throughout the Indo-Pacific, especially around coastal reefs of Indonesia, the Philippines, and northern Australia.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Known for its fuzzy pectoral rays and bold mottled stripes. It displays a slow, hovering swimming style, adding dramatic movement and personality to predator tanks.
Purpose
Acts as a midwater ambush predator and centerpiece in predator-style saltwater setups. Offers high visual intrigue with slow movement and cryptic behavior.
Importance
A favorite for aquarists wanting lionfish without needing a massive tank. Helps teach predator tank dynamics and venomous species care.
Included Resources
Needs live rock, crevices, and low-flow zones. Should be housed away from fast swimmers. Secure lids are essential. Protein skimmer and strong filtration recommended due to messy feeding.
Best Use Cases
Predator tanks, species-only displays, or peaceful FOWLR tanks. Avoid reef tanks with small inverts or nano fish. Can live alongside morays, large gobies, and anglerfish.
Conservation Context
Not under direct threat but wild populations can suffer from over-collection in areas without regulated trade. Supporting tank-bred individuals reduces this pressure.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Snowflake moray
• Marine betta
• Anglerfish
• Hawkfish
• Avoid with small shrimp or nano gobies
Region (A)
• Latitude: -5.1369°
• Longitude: 119.4235°
(Sulawesi, Indonesia – reef slopes and rubble)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -10.3333°
• Longitude: 142.5000°
(Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia – coastal reefs)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Needs meaty foods, stable water, and caution during handling. Low aggression but venomous.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Occasionally wild-caught but available via captive breeding. Low reef impact if responsibly sourced.
Origin
Found throughout the Indo-Pacific, especially around coastal reefs of Indonesia, the Philippines, and northern Australia.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Known for its fuzzy pectoral rays and bold mottled stripes. It displays a slow, hovering swimming style, adding dramatic movement and personality to predator tanks.
Purpose
Acts as a midwater ambush predator and centerpiece in predator-style saltwater setups. Offers high visual intrigue with slow movement and cryptic behavior.
Importance
A favorite for aquarists wanting lionfish without needing a massive tank. Helps teach predator tank dynamics and venomous species care.
Included Resources
Needs live rock, crevices, and low-flow zones. Should be housed away from fast swimmers. Secure lids are essential. Protein skimmer and strong filtration recommended due to messy feeding.
Best Use Cases
Predator tanks, species-only displays, or peaceful FOWLR tanks. Avoid reef tanks with small inverts or nano fish. Can live alongside morays, large gobies, and anglerfish.
Conservation Context
Not under direct threat but wild populations can suffer from over-collection in areas without regulated trade. Supporting tank-bred individuals reduces this pressure.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Snowflake moray
• Marine betta
• Anglerfish
• Hawkfish
• Avoid with small shrimp or nano gobies
Region (A)
• Latitude: -5.1369°
• Longitude: 119.4235°
(Sulawesi, Indonesia – reef slopes and rubble)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -10.3333°
• Longitude: 142.5000°
(Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia – coastal reefs)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Needs meaty foods, stable water, and caution during handling. Low aggression but venomous.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Occasionally wild-caught but available via captive breeding. Low reef impact if responsibly sourced.
Origin
Found throughout the Indo-Pacific, especially around coastal reefs of Indonesia, the Philippines, and northern Australia.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Known for its fuzzy pectoral rays and bold mottled stripes. It displays a slow, hovering swimming style, adding dramatic movement and personality to predator tanks.
Purpose
Acts as a midwater ambush predator and centerpiece in predator-style saltwater setups. Offers high visual intrigue with slow movement and cryptic behavior.
Importance
A favorite for aquarists wanting lionfish without needing a massive tank. Helps teach predator tank dynamics and venomous species care.
Included Resources
Needs live rock, crevices, and low-flow zones. Should be housed away from fast swimmers. Secure lids are essential. Protein skimmer and strong filtration recommended due to messy feeding.
Best Use Cases
Predator tanks, species-only displays, or peaceful FOWLR tanks. Avoid reef tanks with small inverts or nano fish. Can live alongside morays, large gobies, and anglerfish.
Conservation Context
Not under direct threat but wild populations can suffer from over-collection in areas without regulated trade. Supporting tank-bred individuals reduces this pressure.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Snowflake moray
• Marine betta
• Anglerfish
• Hawkfish
• Avoid with small shrimp or nano gobies
Region (A)
• Latitude: -5.1369°
• Longitude: 119.4235°
(Sulawesi, Indonesia – reef slopes and rubble)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -10.3333°
• Longitude: 142.5000°
(Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia – coastal reefs)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus)
Region
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