leaf scorpionfish

[nmprisons]

I posted something similar in the general discussion forum, but didn't get much help, maybe folks here have some ideas (or some other places I may look)

I want to put a leaf scorpionfish into my new 25 gallon tank. I have read all I can find on these fish (which doesn't appear to be much) and I still have two concerns.

1. Any tips on getting them to eat frozen food? My LFS has had one for a few weeks and he is really healthy and attractive, but is still eating live food only.

2. Is there anything else (fish-wise) I could put in the tank with him or will it have to be species only (if so, I will add a second leaf fish). I know it would have to be his size, but they seem to be less aggressive than frog fish and have a smaller mouth than stonefish, etc.

Does anyone have any experience with these guys? please let me know.

thanks a lot!

 

[lhoy]

1. I got my Leaffish to eat a frozen silverside once. Otherwise it is glass shrimp and feeder guppies. If you can get the pieces to float by them, they are more likely to take it. You also have to realize they have a relatively small mouth so you need small pieces.

2. I have a purple reef lobster rooming with mine. I had a Harlequin Bass with no problem and some other fish. Anything small is a goner.

3. They are way awesome and TOUGH!! Mine often sits on a flower anemone!! You won't want a lot of corals in the same tank (or provide lots of open space for the fish) because they will "walk" all over everything keeping Zoo's closed, etc. Mine has never bothered any hermits, snails, etc. but small shrimp are toast.

Here are a couple of photos of mine (one shows his roomie in the background). I am looking for a black or red one to keep as well.

Lee

 

[nmprisons]

gotcha ... i guess you decided that it wasn't worth trying to make him eat frozen ... how big of a piece of food are you talking?

 

[lhoy]

I'd say, 1/2 inch of a silverside. Mine sucks down 1/2 to 3/4 inch glass shrimp and feeder guppies easily. The problem is these guys are bottom dwellers and chunks don't float downward easily. I have a store less than 3 miles away that keeps glass shrimps/feeder guppies.

What color is the one you are looking at?

Lee

 

[zuzecawi]

Don't these guys have a venomous bite?

 

[lhoy]

No, they have venomous dorsal spines? And they are very slow movers and basically look like a leaf blowing in the breeze as they sit still on the bottom and move back and forth. Very cool to watch.

Lee

 

[nmprisons]

well mine arrive tomorrow ... one is black and the other red. i have set up a 10 gallon freshwater tank to raise mollies and shrimp that I am slowly going to convert to saltwater as a main food source until I can get them on frozen.

thanks for your help ... i will post a picture when i get one.