Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish question...

[Uriel]

Hey all,

Well, I usually haunt the mantis shrimp forums (I have 11 of them...), but I am having trouble with one of my dwarf lions (No, they are not housed with the mantis shrimp...).

I have two of them, one slightly larger than the other. I am not sure what sex, though they usually swim around together, and they don't fight, so too males seems to be out as an option.

My smaller lion (Snazzy) isn't eating, really. The other one (Fluffy) chases after chunks of scallop/shrimp/the occassional live feeder ghost shrimp with gusto, but snazzy just stays on one spot, swimming 'down', treading water, like he/she is standing watch.
Is it possible that she laid eggs (She does look a bit slimmer than usual). Is this species one that watches their eggs? I haven't see any eggs, but the spot where she is has a lot of caulerpa mexicana, as well as several blue mushrooms, so they could just be out of my (The big predator, I assume...) view. She will start to chase food, then shoot back to that exact spot.

Any help would be appreciated.

-uriel

 

[Galilean]

I believe all Scorpion fish are pelagic spawners...I read that in Scott. W. Micheals book Reef Fishes if I remember correctly. I'll look it up when I get home.

 

[Galilean]

Confirmed, all Scorpionfish including Lionfish have floating eggs. They just let them go up and don't care for the eggs or the young. Apparently their eggsacks are either poisonous or are least noxious because most planktivores won't eat them.

 

[Uriel]

Well then I wonder what is wrong with Snazzy. She won
t leave that little area for more than a few seconds. It is right on front of a powerhead outjet. The tank has plenty of flow.

Hmm...


-Uriel

 

[David M]

Often when you see fish hanging out in the jetstream of a p-head it's an indication they have a parasitic infestation in the gills, they are trying to get as much water (oxygen) flowing through as they can by staying in the current. I have no idea if lions are prone to crypto but it's a thought. That combined with "slim" and "not eating" tells me the fish is sick and you need to isolate it and figure out whats wrong.

 

[Uriel]

I found her dead a half an hour ago.

I'm not sure what tests to do, but I am doing a water change, and testing params. I really loved that little fish. Dammit...

Thanks for the advice folks.

-Uriel

 

[Kathy55g]

Sorry for your loss...