🐠 Fu Manchu Lionfish (Dendrochirus biocellatus)
Striped Dwarf Lionfish • Unique Moustache-Like Chin Tentacles • A Rare, Characterful Predator for Advanced Keepers
 
📋 The Fu Manchu Lionfish, also known as the Twinspot or Ocellated Lionfish, has a striking red, white, and black striped body, large fan-like pectoral fins, and tall, quill-like dorsal spines. Its unique feature, shared with no other lionfish species, is a pair of fleshy, moustache-like tentacles on its chin, which is where its common name comes from. It's native to a wide range across the Indo-Pacific, from Mauritius and the Maldives to French Polynesia, inhabiting coral reefs and rocky areas at depths of roughly 1 to 50 metres, and it isn't frequently available in the trade.
It also has a fascinating hunting behaviour: it snaps its dorsal spines and shakes its head from side to side as it approaches prey, to distract it or draw it within striking range. It's not reef safe, and it will eat small fish and ornamental shrimp. It should be the only lionfish in the tank, and it should never be exposed to copper-based medications.
The spines on its dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins are venomous. A sting is extremely painful, similar to a bee sting but considerably more potent, with severe local pain, swelling, and nausea lasting hours to days, so never handle this fish with bare hands, and use a container rather than a net. This species is a specialist feeder, and every Fu Manchu Lionfish we ship is feeding well. That makes it a rewarding choice for advanced keepers who like a challenge.
 
💡 Highlights
🎨 Red, White & Black Stripes: A striking, distinctive lionfish
🥸 Unique Chin Tentacles: A feature no other lionfish possesses
🛡️ Venomous Spines: Safe with care, a container, and tongs
🍽️ Ships Feeding Well: Every Fu Manchu Lionfish is eating before it leaves us
🐟 Not Reef Safe: Will eat small fish and ornamental shrimp