Stonefish Feeding Inquiry

[Jasonanatal]

Hello all, I was curious to know if anyone has every owned a Stonefish. I purchased on for my Marine Aquarium last week and I have been unable to feed him. He has been laying underneather the sand since Friday. Can anyone provide any suggestion as to how and what to feed him. I understand they only eat live food. Is their also a way to get them on frozen food? Your suggestions are very much appreciated.

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[T-T-Trigger]

he looks healthy so that is a great sign. the best way to tell (for me) are eye clarity (one of the few 'unmottled' areas) and resperation. so don't worry too much, they can go quite some time when healthy without eating. They WILL eat dead food! I promise.

I fed mine small goldfishes in a holding tank (always hard to put an unweened fish in a community tank where it is hard to control where and who gets food). This was for two reasons A) so that he felt immediately comfortable in his new home and B) so I could verify his appetite/health.

Afetr 3 feedings of 2-3 small goldish spread over a couple weeks (about every 5 days) I then started in with silversides since they are very fishy looking and easy to stick on the end of a thin/sharpened dowel I use as a feeding stick. After it takes the silverside the first time you are home free.

Now I feed whole fresh clams, large chunks of octopus, silversides, and occassionaly strips of fresh fish. Not only does he eat anything that is on the end of that stick at this point - but he even starts squirming in anticipation when I feed the other fish! Very cool, and something you would only see in a captive specimen.

fyi, this is my 4th stonefish - the first pair I had (5 and 6 inches respectively at purchase) both acclimated to frozen within 2 weeks but I eventually gave them up when I tore the tank down, the third was a baby and died within 2 weeks and never ate (it was very ill when I got it). Then this one which is hummin' along like a champ, a really great fish.

hth!

I sharpened and lightened this one on my cheap software to show my titan hiding in the background

 

[Jasonanatal]

T-T-Trigger, Thank you for the advice. I was starting to worry a bit because all he was doing was laying down in the sand. Your Stonefish looks amazing. Are they easily irritated by any type of medications. Just in case any issues with my tank arise?

 

[Jasonanatal]

Espo72, that a good video its true that their feeding can only be caught on a high speed camera because of their attack speed.