Can lionfish sting each other?

[arockkid]

Just wondering, because I added a second one, and they're all over each other. Are they being friendly? Or trying to kill each other?

[MikeS]

how big is your tank, and what species are we talking about here? Lionfish generally don't tend to be too territiorial, but it can happen, especially in smaller tanks....

MikeS

[arockkid]

No....they're not being mean.....just hanging out right next to each other....I was kidding about killing each other, except that I wasn't sure if they could 'accidentally' sting each other.

[MikeS]

well....they do tend to school a bit sometimes....as for stinging one another, I kept them for years and never once saw it nor have I ever heard of it happening on any of the BB's out there...

I wouldn't worry about "accidents" either....if you have ever seen a lion try to sting something, you'll see that it is a very deliberate act....they violently thrust the spines, almost spasmotic...producing venom is a "high budget" item when it comes to energy useage by the fish, they don't waste it....

No worries, I'd say
;)

MikeS