Dwarf Zebra Lionfish (Dendrochirus zebra)

The Dwarf Zebra Lionfish packs the same venomous spine loadout as its giant cousins into a body that tops out around six or seven inches, which makes it one of the only lionfish you can responsibly keep in a tank under 100 gallons. Bold reddish and cream bands give it the zebra patterning it's named for, and unlike the true Pterois lionfish its pectoral fins are broad and webbed rather than feathery — it fans them wide to corner and corral prey fish against the rockwork before inhaling them in one gulp. Slow-moving and confident, because almost nothing wants to test those spines twice.

Care level: Easy · Temperament: Predatory · Max size: ~7" · Min tank: 30+ gal · Diet: Carnivore, live/frozen meaty foods