Lion fish not eating

[redlazer]

I have a violitan lionfish that I haven’t been able to get to eat in 4 days. He was always at the top and eat anytime I put something in front of him. Now he is hanging out low on the rocks. Any ideas?

[welsher7]

We need some more information.
How long have you had it?
How big is it?
What are your water parameters?
What size tank and tank mates?
What have you been feeding it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[redlazer]

Had it 2-3months. 6-7 inches. All water parameters are normal. 100 gal tank. Flame hawk, indo tusk, 2 yellow tail damsels, narrow line puffer, blue chin trigger, lemon peel angel, and maroon clown. Been feeding silversides, Alaskan shrimp, and every once n a while he will grab a piece of squid.

[welsher7]

How often and how much are you/were you feeding?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[redlazer]

Monday, Wednesday and Friday. One large silverside, and a shrimp.

[welsher7]

A lion fish that size could go several days easy without feeding, so I wouldn’t worry at this point. Just watch the blue jaw trigger to make sure it isn’t picking on the lion. I had a sargassum trigger, close relative of the blue jaw, that had to be moved because it started nipping the lions fins.

I think at this size you should drop down to two times a week


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[redlazer]

Ok I had the same thought about trigger but been watching the trigger hasn’t bothered him at all.

[McPuff]

Did you feed the silverside whole or without the head? What about the shrimp? Were they peeled or shell-on?

It's possible to "clog" a lionfish digestive tract with shells and bones/skulls if you feed those types of meals. If this happens it can often mean the demise of the fish. I would leave it alone for a couple more days and then try to feed it a chunk or two of raw, peeled shrimp. If it begins to eat again, obvious good sign. If not, the issue may be compaction/blockage and I'm not sure how to remedy that, if even possible.

Going forward, I would switch to raw, peeled shrimp and other soft foods. Good luck!

[redlazer]

Well he could be clogged.