Copper Sulfate in Hikari pellets for Lionfish?

Ananth · Aug 20, 2023

Hi Friends,
Trying to get my Miles Lionfish to take pellets (occasional). They are presently on live Mollies diet.

Nutrition information in Hikari Massivore pellets contains Copper Sulfate, I know that copper is not good for Lionfish. Can we feed them these pellets

Miami Reef · Aug 20, 2023

I doubt the lionfish will eat the pellets, but regardless, copper is a needed trace element. It should be safe to feed. They seem to not tolerate high copper concentrations in the water, but that doesn’t mean they won’t tolerate a trace amount in their food.

The dose makes the poison.

lion king · Aug 20, 2023

The copper sulfate in a pellet would be a very small amount, which is actually a necessary dietary element. The issue with copper exposure in the aquarium, is that it becomes a toxic level. I would be more concerned with all the meal products, yeast, starch, and flours. Really why would feed aquatic life all that garbage.

Ananth · Aug 20, 2023

Got my Lionfish yesterday picked it up from LFS. He is in observational QT, ate 4 juvi Mollies yesterday and 3 more today.

Just saw cuticle ( mucus) floating in the tank. Anything to worry?

lion king · Aug 20, 2023

Ananth said:
Got my Lionfish yesterday picked it up from LFS. He is in observational QT, ate 4 juvi Mollies yesterday and 3 more today.

Just saw cuticle ( mucus) floating in the tank. Anything to worry?

This could be and likely is, normal shedding. This happens many times as a result of a change of water chemistry, introducton into a new tank. Miles are usually very accommodating to taking dead foods, give it 2-3 days and start offering chunks of preferably fresh seafood. Check out some of my threads for suggestions on healthy foods that will promote a long captive life. These guys will generally take to stick feeding, initially just getting their attention and dropping a chunk within their vision works. The food will just need to be in motion. Mollies are a good live food offering in the meantime. If it's your preference they can live indefinitely on live mollies, as they are a complete food which mimics closely to their native diet.

Any lethargy or refusal of live food would be an alert to something to be concerned.