The Dwarf Zebra Lionfish, Dendrochirus zebra, features a beautifully striped body with typical lionfish frills and fins designed to blend in with its surroundings. Though it is a slow swimmer, and will appear motionless at times. They tend to inhabit shallow coastal waters and have an affinity for caves and rocky outcrops where they can ambush their prey, mainly consisting of small crustaceans and small fish. It is still capable of consuming any organism that fits into its mouth, so be very careful when deciding what tank mates to put with it. A lionfish can open its mouth surprisingly wide. The Dwarf Zebra Lionfish is a solitary species and should really be kept one Lionfish to a tank, along with larger, more aggressive tank mates like Triggers, Rabbitfish, Puffers, Groupers and Large Angelfish. They can grow to be 7″ and should be kept in a tank no less than 60 gallons, with plenty of live rock and hiding places. During acclimation, the Lionfish will be very shy and need to hide until it becomes comfortable in it’s new environment. The Dwarf Zebra Lion is venomous. Some of the spines on its dorsal fin can inflict irritation similar to a bee’s sting if handled, so caution is advised.

Though it has been claimed that the Dwarf Zebra Lionfish can to be responsive to its owners which can add another dimension of fun and connectivity to caring for it, feeding the Dwarf Zebra Lion should  never be done by hand. They will eat a carnivorous diet, offer meaty chunks of marine flesh such as Silversides, chopped Clams, Scallops, and Krill or table Shrimp two to three times per week. New arrivals may not accept a captive diet at first, in which case periodically offer live glass or ghost shrimp. In time, however, even the most finicky Lionfish can be weaned onto a captive diet with patience and the use of a feeding stick. The Dwarf Zebra Lion will thrive in a temperature range of  72-78° F and a pH of 8.1-8.4.

Venomous: Please be aware that this fish is venomous and could cause painful and long lasting stings.