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These are the things we can do to give us a higher percentage of success, when 1st acquiring a lionfish. I strongly suggest an observation/qt tank. You want to test the sg in the transport bag and if using an observation tank, adjust the tank's salinity to match. Matching temperature as well. Most suppliers/lfs will run sg at around 1.020, I've tested as low as 1.017. If you rise the sg more than .002 without an extended acclimation, you will greatly decrease your chances of success. Lions do not like severe changes or frequent changes in water chemistry. If you are getting one from your lfs, I like them to be there at least a week. If you are ordering one from your lfs, pick them up in the shipping bag. You will want one acclimation rather than two within a short period of time.
Once acclimated immediately offer live ghost shrimp, or live guppies. Many times a new lion will only respond to live food, another reason for an observation tank. 9/10 a healthy lion will immediately eat live ghosties or guppies. The other 1/10 healthy lion will eat them within a very short time. If they have not responded to a live food offering with 24hrs, immediately treat with general cure or fritz paracleanse. They do come in with internal parasites frequently, and refusing food is a tell. They also come in with flukes, so watch for cloudy eyes and swimming at the surface. Prazi pro is more effective on flukes. Another reason for an observation tank.
if they are going directly in a reef, then this will be more of a challenge. Going from an sg of 1.020 or lower, to 1.025 is a stretch and dangerous on it's own. I woud recommend taking as long as 2 hours, and checking tyhat the sg is close before releasing. The thing about the suppliers and lfs running lower sg, this holds parasites and other diseases at bay, once risen, the issues will explode. Once in a reef especially with other fish, getting them live food may be more challenging. If there's a need for treatment, you will be limited to using prazi pro. Prazi pro alone may not be effective on some forms of internal parasites.
These are the things we have control of, some things we can't control. Cyanide has made a strong comeback, and if they were collected with cyanide, there's nothing you can do, and they'll die pretty quickly. If there's some underlying condition that is triggered by shipping stress, then there's little you can do. If you are prepared for a lion refusing food and treat immediately, you will have a better chance. Ifg you see the cloudy eyes or other signs of flukes, and treat immediately, you will have a better chance. And be sure to match the sg.
Once acclimated immediately offer live ghost shrimp, or live guppies. Many times a new lion will only respond to live food, another reason for an observation tank. 9/10 a healthy lion will immediately eat live ghosties or guppies. The other 1/10 healthy lion will eat them within a very short time. If they have not responded to a live food offering with 24hrs, immediately treat with general cure or fritz paracleanse. They do come in with internal parasites frequently, and refusing food is a tell. They also come in with flukes, so watch for cloudy eyes and swimming at the surface. Prazi pro is more effective on flukes. Another reason for an observation tank.
if they are going directly in a reef, then this will be more of a challenge. Going from an sg of 1.020 or lower, to 1.025 is a stretch and dangerous on it's own. I woud recommend taking as long as 2 hours, and checking tyhat the sg is close before releasing. The thing about the suppliers and lfs running lower sg, this holds parasites and other diseases at bay, once risen, the issues will explode. Once in a reef especially with other fish, getting them live food may be more challenging. If there's a need for treatment, you will be limited to using prazi pro. Prazi pro alone may not be effective on some forms of internal parasites.
These are the things we have control of, some things we can't control. Cyanide has made a strong comeback, and if they were collected with cyanide, there's nothing you can do, and they'll die pretty quickly. If there's some underlying condition that is triggered by shipping stress, then there's little you can do. If you are prepared for a lion refusing food and treat immediately, you will have a better chance. Ifg you see the cloudy eyes or other signs of flukes, and treat immediately, you will have a better chance. And be sure to match the sg.
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