Hello everyone!!
I recently added two new fish to my little reef. A Yellow Leaf Fish and a Barb Fish. I have kept all of the common scorps, and several of the harder to find species over the years. I was starting to miss having oddball fish, and the day after Christmas picked up these little guys. Both are right at 2 inches in total length. The leaf fish is so small that his internal organs are visible.
In the past I have never had issues getting barbfish to eat frozen food, the leaf fish have been more challenging IME. That said, I was ready to take a chance.
After adding them to the tank, my lantern bass had to establish his dominance. After a few hours of him harassing the new guys he settled down. I added mysis to the tank, and both new additions actively fed.
Day two, I introduced them to the syringe full of mysis. They again actively fed.
Day three, they recognize my wife and I as the food source.
I now have them trained to eat directly from the syringe. The barbfish will latch onto the end and I squirt the mysis into his throat. The Leafish likes to eat from the water column, so I shoot mysis right at him. He hops right to the syringe and waits for me to "release" his food.
The leaf fish and barb fish also do not mind touching each other, and almost seem to like the interaction. My wife asked me why they cuddle most of the time, LOL
At the rate they are going I will have them trained to feed from my hand in the next few days.
In the past I have always trained my scorps to hop into my hand, lift them to the surface and feed directly in my hand. This has worked for Rhinopias, Cockatoo Wasp, Ambon Scorp and many others for me.
While I know there is risk of getting stung (I have been hit by both of these species in the past, always my fault), I love the interaction and I end up with no wasted food!!
On a side note, my wife said they were ugly when I brought them home. Once they started the food hop, her stance changed. Now they are the cutest things ever!!
I will try to get some good photos this evening, and a feeding video!!
~Michael
I recently added two new fish to my little reef. A Yellow Leaf Fish and a Barb Fish. I have kept all of the common scorps, and several of the harder to find species over the years. I was starting to miss having oddball fish, and the day after Christmas picked up these little guys. Both are right at 2 inches in total length. The leaf fish is so small that his internal organs are visible.
In the past I have never had issues getting barbfish to eat frozen food, the leaf fish have been more challenging IME. That said, I was ready to take a chance.
After adding them to the tank, my lantern bass had to establish his dominance. After a few hours of him harassing the new guys he settled down. I added mysis to the tank, and both new additions actively fed.
Day two, I introduced them to the syringe full of mysis. They again actively fed.
Day three, they recognize my wife and I as the food source.
I now have them trained to eat directly from the syringe. The barbfish will latch onto the end and I squirt the mysis into his throat. The Leafish likes to eat from the water column, so I shoot mysis right at him. He hops right to the syringe and waits for me to "release" his food.
The leaf fish and barb fish also do not mind touching each other, and almost seem to like the interaction. My wife asked me why they cuddle most of the time, LOL
At the rate they are going I will have them trained to feed from my hand in the next few days.
In the past I have always trained my scorps to hop into my hand, lift them to the surface and feed directly in my hand. This has worked for Rhinopias, Cockatoo Wasp, Ambon Scorp and many others for me.
While I know there is risk of getting stung (I have been hit by both of these species in the past, always my fault), I love the interaction and I end up with no wasted food!!
On a side note, my wife said they were ugly when I brought them home. Once they started the food hop, her stance changed. Now they are the cutest things ever!!
I will try to get some good photos this evening, and a feeding video!!
~Michael