Sick lion fish

[Dustin1231]

I have had a dwarf lion fish in my 120 tank for about 8 months now. I have been feeding him the freeze dried krill by hand. In the last week or so he stopped eating. When i put the food in the water he races towards it, but then stops short, or will barley take a bite. It almost looks like it hurts him to open his mouth.
Today i noticed that he seamed like he had trouble breathing. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on what to do..

Thanks
Dustin

 

[randomfishguy85]

freeze dried krill causes lock jaw if fed exclusively. look up lock jaw and see if you find a cure

 

[jarrod13]

^ +1. Freeze dried krill is the devil! Try some fresh shrimp or fish. If that doesn't work get some live guppies or ghost shrimp just to get him eating

 

[namxas]

Besides lockjaw, a diet high in krill, esp. FD krill is very poor, nutritionally speaking, and can lead to anorexia (cessation of feeding). Your fish may also be "hooked" on FD krill and may refuse all other foods.

As mentioned, try some live ghosties or guppies to see if you can get the fish eating. I'd also try dosing the tank with some vitamin C and B12, both of which stimulate the appetite.

 

[namxas]

double post...

 

[Dustin1231]

thank you guys!!! on my way to the pet store now.

 

[snorvich]

^ +1. Freeze dried krill is the devil! Try some fresh shrimp or fish. If that doesn't work get some live guppies or ghost shrimp just to get him eating

Yes, not a good food. I agree with the above.

 

[Dustin1231]

I got some ghost shrimp and frozen shrimp. He didn't even go after the frozen stuff and i think the ghost are too big for him.... sad.

 

[namxas]

If you can't find small ghosties, use small guppies. Just gutload them with a good quality marine flake food. They'll be OK for a bit, but don't use them long term.


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[GrendelPrime76]

hows your lion doing?

 

[nirvanaandtool]

If the ghosts are too big, gutload them and freeze them. Then stick feed him the head + gut portion and toss the tail.
This worked for feeding my small Wartskin angler.

 

[Dustin1231]

I tried the cut loading, and he still wont go after any food....

 

[nirvanaandtool]

Not good. Try to find small guppies. Maybe that will be the trick

 

[namxas]

You'll want to try and boost the fish's appetite. As I previously mentioned, at the very least, dose the tank with some vitamin C, as it's water soluble and can be taken in thru the fish's gill structures.

We use a liquid vitamin C preparation, but you can use Vita-Chem in a pinch.