- Joined
- May 9, 2020
- Messages
- 191
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- 215
I recently acquired a Dwarf Zebra Lionfish. I'm embarrassed to say this is my third one. The first went blind and eventually quit eating after about a year. The second just stopped eating and died, also at about one year. Both I believe due to thiaminase poisioning. Both were fed a totally dead diet. The first one I didn’t know any better and was feeding a lot of Krill and Silversides. After losing the first one I did more research on diet and thought I had it figured out. Obviously not. I consulted Wet Web Media and they recommended adding vitamin B1 to the water once a week. I was adding 300mg to my 90g display, a total guess. I fed a more varied diet including Salmon and Cod but still dead only. This was all before I discovered R2R. After reading everything I could find here, particularly from lionfish guru Lion King, I’ve deduced that a good hybrid diet of live and quality dead, low thiaminase offerings is apparently the key. Am I correct? My current specimen is less than 2 inches right now. It’s eating ghosties that I’m gut loading with pellets and flake. It’s too small for mollies so I’ve tried guppies but so far it’s shown no interest. I consider myself relatively experienced. I’ve been maintaining a mixed reef for about 7 years and my fish mortality rate is pretty low. I keep what is considered more difficult specimens like a Copperband I’ve had for over 2 years now. I feel my rock work is good for lionfish habitat with plenty of large dark overhangs and perches as well as open swimming space. I’ve set up a 5g to accommodate live feeders. Lions are my favorite fish and my tank show piece. I don’t want to blow it again because first I feel guilty and second, dwarfs seem to be getting harder to come by. What I’d like to see here is feedback from long term success stories with lionfish, particularly dwarfs. Specifics on what to feed, how often, and any tips on maintaining a feeder population. How do I get past this first stage and on to a long term successful regimen of good diet and care?
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