Lion fish question

stangd1909

GO NOLES!
At what point should I be worried about him not eating? I picked him up two and a half days ago.....and he hasn't eaten.
 
It is not unusual for new fish not too eat. What you need to understand is despite their reputation they can easily be picked on by other fish. I would suggest target feeding silver siders or shrimp soaked in garlic guard. Make sure the pieces are small enough for the lionfish to swallow easily. If the lionfish still refuses than try live foods like a black molly or ghost shrimp.
 
Good advice regarding the small pieces, as lions actually prefer them to larger items. And depending on its size, ghosties, guppies, or mollies are good live choices (stay away from goldfish and rosy reds as they're bad for the fish).

Tankmates can make a difference too. Lions are very passive fish, and IME, are intimidated by boisterous fish. If the lion isn't the first in the tank, they're really best conditioned and weaned in a QT.

Lions can actually go quite awhile without eating (a month or so, depending on the fish's condition). However, one obviously doesn't want them to do so if it can be helped.

First, what species do you have, as this can make a difference as to its "pickiness"?

Did you see it eat at the LFS? If so, what was it eating?

Give THIS ARTICLE a read. It should answer most of your questions regarding feeding and weaning techniques.

HTH
 
+1

my lions have gone 1.5 weeks without eating. when it gets to that point i always get gut loaded live ghost shrimp.

i dont let it get that long(those were my early days with them)
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I got him Saturday, so since Saturday he hasn't eaten or come out from behind the Rocks. Today he started swimming around a little....and is hanging out in front on the rocks. So slowly making a little progress...he still won't eat though. I am going to the LFS tomorrow and get some ghost shrimp...so I hope he will go for that.
 
It was already asked before, but did you see it eat at the LFS? How long was it there, and did it eat for them?

The reason I ask is because it hasn't eaten for you in about four days, but when did it last eat?
 
The owner said the lion at on Friday (the day before I bought him). He said he fed him frozen silver sides and krill.
 
Never believe what people say as absolute truth. I have seen workers sell people 3 sandsifter star fish for a 75 gallon. My best advice before buying any fish you must see it eat and know where it comes from. If you buy online seek out reliable sources that can testify to the reliability of the company. Many companies get fish that have been cyanide caught, which is a poison that shocks the fish and kills the liver. It also bleachs coral reefs.
 
I agree, I don't believe everything I am told, however I have heard really good things about this LFS though. This is the first fish I have bought from them. I do know he got this batch of Lion fish from the Keys.
 
That's a good thing...looks like you have a " local" volitans, which helps the environment as well as the fish.

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Yeah, they had a round up last weekend...Saturday they killed 800+ and Sunday 600+ Lion fish. It was crazy. I can't believe how bad they have gotten down in that area. They were all around seven mile bridge.
 
Yeah, they had a round up last weekend...Saturday they killed 800+ and Sunday 600+ Lion fish. It was crazy. I can't believe how bad they have gotten down in that area. They were all around seven mile bridge.
I lived in Islamorada right after College, a long time ago. My bonefishing buddy says they see them all the time around my old house on Lower Matecumbe. They're said to be delicious. I'm glad to see them in our hobby, about time. I wonder how all the tarpon, and other gamefish , are doing with these lions? The 7 mile bridge area is full of tarpon this time of year and lions would be easy prey---and the tarpon can't have any natural fear.
On topic; An adult Volitans can go a long without food; sure no need to worry yet.
 
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OK good news is he finally ate. Bad news is all I had to feed him was goldfish, but at least he ate. I am going to the LFS on Monday to see about some saltwater feeders. How hard is it to wean a lionfish on to frozen food?
 
Once you find something they like they will eat it no problem. My lionfish likes silver silders, but LOVES LOVES tiger shrimp.
 
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