Fu-Man Chu Lionfish...Molting?!?!?

[Dr4gula.f32]

So I'm sitting here next to the tank on the computer and I see this clear thing floating in the tank. I'm looking at it, it looks like shed skin. Then my Fu Man Chu does this twitching dance thing, and then a really violent shake and POOF it shed a complete layer of skin. Just like a shrimp you can see a layer of it's dorsal spines, side skin. Everything. And now he's back to chillin on his rock like nothings new. I have had him almost 2 years now and I've never seen this happen. It only eats live food, once a week, ten minnows or black mollies.

So, do these guys shed their skin to grow? What did I just see?

 

[JumboShrimp]

Wow, I didn't know that; but it does sound like you are describing a molt. Curious to hear from others that have owned that type of fish.

 

[littlefoxx]

So I'm sitting here next to the tank on the computer and I see this clear thing floating in the tank. I'm looking at it, it looks like shed skin. Then my Fu Man Chu does this twitching dance thing, and then a really violent shake and POOF it shed a complete layer of skin. Just like a shrimp you can see a layer of it's dorsal spines, side skin. Everything. And now he's back to chillin on his rock like nothings new. I have had him almost 2 years now and I've never seen this happen. It only eats live food, once a week, ten minnows or black mollies.

So, do these guys shed their skin to grow? What did I just see?

Um no they dont shed skin (that I know of??? Never seen the 4 lions I kept before do that) but I have no clue what the heck youre describing!!! Might ask the medics if there is anything they know of that might cause that

@Jay Hemdal
@vetteguy53081

 

[Dr4gula.f32]

After doing some research on here, they in fact do shed their skin.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fuzzy-dwarf-lionfish-moulting.880287/

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I'm sitting here next to the tank on the computer and I see this clear thing floating in the tank. I'm looking at it, it looks like shed skin. Then my Fu Man Chu does this twitching dance thing, and then a really violent shake and POOF it shed a complete layer of skin. Just like a shrimp you can see a layer of it's dorsal spines, side skin. Everything. And now he's back to chillin on his rock like nothings new. I have had him almost 2 years now and I've never seen this happen. It only eats live food, once a week, ten minnows or black mollies.

So, do these guys shed their skin to grow? What did I just see?

Normal as its a slime coat separation and also assure no increase in ammonia and change in PH but ive seen this several times

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So I'm sitting here next to the tank on the computer and I see this clear thing floating in the tank. I'm looking at it, it looks like shed skin. Then my Fu Man Chu does this twitching dance thing, and then a really violent shake and POOF it shed a complete layer of skin. Just like a shrimp you can see a layer of it's dorsal spines, side skin. Everything. And now he's back to chillin on his rock like nothings new. I have had him almost 2 years now and I've never seen this happen. It only eats live food, once a week, ten minnows or black mollies.

So, do these guys shed their skin to grow? What did I just see?

That species is reported to shed its cuticle every few weeks or so. I've never seen it happen, but I have seen it in other scorpionfish.

There is some disagreement over how often they shed - some people say if they shed a lot, it is a sign that the fish is trying to rid itself of some skin affliction.