My mom has a 75 gal F.O. tank and her lion fish stopped eating about 5 days ago and for the last 2 day is swimming in circles on the top of the water. It's about 3 1/2 years old. Her husband said the are no signs of any infections and said the water quality is good and all other fish are healthy (two tangs and clown). The only thing I can think of that I've noticed was the water temp is right aroung 83. Anybody have any Ideas or is it to late for the poor guy. I would appreciate any help you might have mom is pretty sad.
Sick Lion Fish
- Thread starter dw7
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francis1123
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sounds like a swim bladder issue. what were they feeding the fish? a lot of lions that are fed live feeder goldfish suffer this fate. i am not certain on the treatment for it, almost always from what i've seen/heard from friends is the fish dies. rarely, the fish miraculously get's better with no intervention. possibly someone with more experience with these fish can chime in for a good treatment.
Is he circling the top of the tank facing down? If so, he's hunting. That's what mine does to let me know he's hungry. He's searching from a "birds eye view" for prey.
As far as his diet goes, you shouldn't feed them goldfish. And most times, other feeder fish are so poorly maintained that there's no nutritional value (just skin and bones). Over feeding will eventually lead to a bad liver and soon after that, death. If water is good, and no signs of any visual disease, hold tight and try enticing him to eat with an aromatic food, such as fresh squid or live ghost shrimp. Only feed him twice a week and try to get him onto frozen food with more nutrients.
As far as his diet goes, you shouldn't feed them goldfish. And most times, other feeder fish are so poorly maintained that there's no nutritional value (just skin and bones). Over feeding will eventually lead to a bad liver and soon after that, death. If water is good, and no signs of any visual disease, hold tight and try enticing him to eat with an aromatic food, such as fresh squid or live ghost shrimp. Only feed him twice a week and try to get him onto frozen food with more nutrients.
It's never been fed any gold fish or feeders. It's main diet since it was small was dried Krill and would ocasion take frozen blood woms. She has fed it every day for the last 3 1/2 years. Do you think this killed its liver? It doesn't seem to be looking down it seems more like its sticking its head out of the water. Thanks for your help
It's hard to say for sure without knowing everything about the fish, tank and history. I know that over feeding lions typically results in early death. They should live around seven years, sometimes even up to ten. But, when over fed... their livers get fatty and it leads to unexpected death. They don't move much. They just glide slowly around aquariums. This means they don't use a lot of energy and don't require daily feedings.
I hope things get better. Keep an eye out for visual health problems
I hope things get better. Keep an eye out for visual health problems
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