Lionfish Containment Units: Product Comparison

Controlling invasive lionfish populations is crucial for reef conservation. Divers rely on specialized containment devices such as the ZooKeeper®, Lionfish Locker™, Lion Tamer™, and Lionfish Dungeon™. Here's an objective comparison highlighting safety, capacity, and practical considerations.

Product	Sizes	Reef-Safe Materials	Entry Mechanism	Drain Time	Capacity	Key Features
Lionfish Locker™	15", 22", 30"	Yes (food-safe plastics & rubber)	Spring-loaded rigid door with rubber flap	Less than 1 sec	Highest - A box has more volume than the same width tube	Multiple handles, integrated spear/snare storage, quick drain, clear panels, multiple clip-off points
ZooKeeper®	10", 20", 24", 28", ProXL	Conditionally (rigid PVC)	Slotted funnel (no flap)	~5 sec	High	Clear PVC tube, quick drain bottom
Lion Tamer™	24", 32", 40"	Conditionally (rigid PVC)	One-way flared flap	No rapid drain	Moderate-High	Tough construction, hinged bottom door
Lionfish Dungeon™	19.5" only	Conditionally (rigid PVC)	One-way flap	No rapid drain	Moderate	Compact size, screw-off bottom cap

Lionfish Locker™ (Aquatic Hunt®)

The Lionfish Locker is specifically engineered for serious lionfish containment, offering up to 37% greater capacity compared to traditional round units. Constructed from clear, automotive-grade, UV-resistant plastic and food-safe rubber flaps, it ensures no harmful chemical leaching into reef environments.

Pros:

• Highest capacity (up to +37%)

• Spring-loaded, food-safe rubber flap door compatible with all spears, preventing fish escape

• Ultra-rapid draining (~1 second)

• Integrated spear/snare storage

• Flat-pack design easily assembled/disassembled with a hex wrench for travel

• Four sturdy attachment points and square shape for secure handling

• Transparent panels for clear visibility of catch

• Materials explicitly reef-safe

Cons:

• Initial assembly required, multiple components to maintain and check periodically

• Premium pricing compared to simpler models

ZooKeeper® (The LZK Group LLC)

The ZooKeeper is a popular, traditional lionfish containment tube constructed from rigid, clear PVC and molded ABS components.

Pros:

• Reliable funnel design

• Clear visibility of contents

• Durable build with quick-drain bottom (~5 seconds)

• Conditionally reef-safe (rigid PVC)

Cons:

• High cost relative to other options

• Fish may escape through incomplete funnel design; divers report occasional stings

• Round shape, non-rigid fabric handle, difficult handling in water and on boats

• Limited attachment points (2)

• No flat-pack travel option

Lion Tamer™ (Marine Sports Manufacturing)

The Lion Tamer offers a rugged containment solution made from heavy-duty PVC but lacks rapid drainage or visibility features.

Pros:

• Strong, puncture-resistant construction

• Simple one-way flared funnel entry

• Bottom hinged door for emptying

• Conditionally reef-safe (rigid PVC)

Cons:

• No rapid drainage; retains water adding weight

• Fish occasionally escape through flap, causing lost catch and potential diver stings

• Limited visibility (opaque construction)

• Round shape with limited clip-off options and challenging handling on boats

Lionfish Dungeon™ (MAKO Spearguns)

The compact Lionfish Dungeon suits recreational divers seeking convenience and moderate containment capacity.

Pros:

• Lightweight and compact for travel

• Effective one-way funnel entry

• Secure screw-on bottom cap

• Conditionally reef-safe (rigid PVC)

Cons:

• Lowest capacity, quickly fills on productive dives

• No quick drainage; heavy lifting when exiting water

• Fish can escape through incomplete entry flap, risking stings

• No integrated gear storage

• Limited attachment points and round shape difficult for handling

Chemical Leaching Safety Assessment

• Lionfish Locker™: Safest choice, made from explicitly reef-safe, food-grade materials.

• ZooKeeper®, Lion Tamer™, Lionfish Dungeon™: Conditionally safe (rigid PVC). Avoid flexible or vinyl components to reduce risk of chemical leaching.

Conclusion

The Lionfish Locker emerges as the superior choice in capacity, safety, ease of handling, and practical diver-oriented features. However, each product serves distinct diver needs—evaluate based on your specific requirements for lionfish management and reef protection. Happy hunting!

Size Comparison Chart:

Lionfish containment system size comparison chart. Lionfish Locker™ vs ZooKeeper® vs Lion Tamer™ vs Lionfish Dungeon™

Disclaimer: ZooKeeper® is a registered trademark of The LZK Group LLC. Lion Tamer™ and Lionfish Dungeon™ are trademarks of their respective manufacturers.  Aquatic Hunt® is not affiliated with or endorsed by The LZK Group LLC, MAKO Spearguns or Marine Sports Manufacturing.