Venomous marine fish such as lionfish, foxfaces and certain rabbitfish are generally shy to semi-aggressive predators, relying on their venomous spines for defence rather than seeking confrontation. Most are considered reef-safe with corals but not with small livestock, as they will happily eat small fish, shrimp and other bite-sized inverts. A minimum aquarium size of around 250–300 litres is recommended for smaller species, with larger lionfish and similar fish needing significantly more space and strong filtration. Care must be taken when aquascaping and performing maintenance, as their spines can deliver a very painful sting; always use tools where possible and know basic first aid for stings. They do best in calm, stable systems with plenty of rockwork for cover and peaceful tank mates too large to be viewed as food.
