Lionfish eating habbits.

Marinevrablic · May 20, 2016

Have a dwarf lionfish in my tank. The LFS I got him from said they fed him roseys. But aren't those bad for a lionfish? What can I feed him? I give my other little fishes blood worms. And some algae strips on a clip....how do yall get yours to eat and what?

eatbreakfast · May 20, 2016

Marinevrablic said:
Have a dwarf lionfish in my tank. The LFS I got him from said they fed him roseys. But aren't those bad for a lionfish? What can I feed him? I give my other little fishes blood worms. And some algae strips on a clip....how do yall get yours to eat and what?

Yeah roseys are not good to feed long term.

Lions can vary greatly with how eager they are to eat what you provide them. If it is small enough, and shows interest in frozen mysis, that's a great start. Unfortunately, in some cases that isn't enough. If you have access to live ghost or grass shrimp, they are great starters for feeding.

Krill or small silversides waved with tongs to mimic live food can help too.

If all else fails, roseys, although not ideal, can be used in a pinch until you get it weaned on frozen.

Marinevrablic · May 20, 2016

I thought krill was bad for lions? He finally starved himself to where I bought ghost shrimp. I have an eel so I hand feed him pieces of shrimp. All my other fish go nuts when it's feeding time lol. They usually steal it before I get it to the eel....would the lion fish eat that as well?

melypr1985 · May 20, 2016

I've heard that long term feeding of krill can lead to lock-jaw in predators like this. I've had a lot of success with getting dwarf lions to eat mysis along with the other fish. Small silver sides have worked with larger dwarf lions along with the live options mentioned already. I've done this at the LFS I work at and dont actually own any lions... just fyi

GroverSenpai · May 21, 2016

If using feeder fish, self bred mollies and guppies are my number one pick. My dwarf lion only ate live ghost shrimp but am slowly trying weaning him off on frozen market prawns.

eatbreakfast · May 21, 2016

Only feeding one kind of food is not really good for anything long term, but part of a varied diet, krill will be fine. Any meaty seafood can be part of a lions iet.

Marinevrablic · May 21, 2016

Where can I get this food for my dwarf lion? My LFS doesn't seem to carry any of what yall mentioned except ghost shrimp and little feeder guppies. I never had success breeding them so I just guy them now. I still have like 3 ghost shrimp swimming around in my tank lol after 3 days. It's weird. I mean all my fish eat the shrimp I hand feed my eel and the pollack. But the lion doesn't seem to go for it. I was just wondering what else or where I can find it. Don't want my little lion to starve.

eatbreakfast · May 21, 2016

Most LFS should carry those foods. If not they can be gotten online. You could also use seafood from the grocery store.

Lionfish Lair · May 21, 2016

Does your store keep feeder guppies?

Marinevrablic · May 21, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
Does your store keep feeder guppies?

Yes they do. I can tell he's hungry. He's swimming more then chilling on a rock or something.

Marinevrablic · May 21, 2016

eatbreakfast said:
Most LFS should carry those foods. If not they can be gotten online. You could also use seafood from the grocery store.

I been trying shrimp and talopia. Cause that's what my flame hawk and eel eat along with my hamlet and crabs.

Lionfish Lair · May 21, 2016

Grab some guppies and let's get this puppy trained!

How big is your lion?

Marinevrablic · May 21, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
Grab some guppies and let's get this puppy trained!

How big is your lion?

He's A GOOD 2 inches. I'll get some tomorrow.

x3x_Rockstar_x3x · Jun 16, 2016

I have a dwarf lion that has gone on a hunger strike. I've been trying to get him on frozen foods. He's gone after brine and mysis shrimp, but not enough, so I've been dropping in live ghost shrimp about every 3 days or so to keep him nourished. But today I noticed that he's looking thin, a bit pale, and when I dropped in the live ghost shrimp, he was completely disinterested. I'm worried! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Lionfish Lair · Jun 16, 2016

So that this doesn't get confusing, could you maybe start another thread @x3x_Rockstar_x3x? I'm easily confused :-)

Marinevrablic · Jun 17, 2016

I use guppies. Mine doesnt go after ghost shrimp wither. Mine doesnt turn an eye to ANYTHING but guppies. I don't know why. I net trained him though. He isn't afraid of the net and goes right in suckling up 4 to 5 guppies then my others get the rest of the guppies.

Lionfish Lair · Jun 17, 2016

My next step here would be to freeze some guppies and put them on a stick. If he still doesn't even go for this, try some freshly killed, but not frozen. Can you make a little feeding stick? All you need is a clear feeding stick, 50lb fishing line (or similar) and some tape.