Just got a zebra dwarf lionfish

Dave727 · 07/25/2012, 11:52 PM

Hello all, I just got a dwarf lionfish and have heard too many opinions on how when and what and how much to feed him. Ive heard goldfish, then I heard never feed him any freshwatee fish due to fatty issues in the meat , ive been feeding the rest of the tank normally with my marine cusine carnivore formula frozen food, he wants nothing to do wi th it . Please help.

Michigan Mike · 07/26/2012, 12:55 AM

I have saltwater acclimated mollies I sell as feeder fish. LoL . It's better to not use freshwater feeders. Try to ween it starting with live feeders to having a dead feeder then silversides on a stick. It can take awhile but lots of fish can be adjusted to eat other things. I'm no expert but just trying to help., keep at it!

Chris27 · 07/26/2012, 05:49 AM

If it's happy, it'll eat anything small enough that will fit into it's mouth, usually with great gusto. I've always fed them whatever I can get my hands on that is live, rosey reds usually, because they are readily available.

Once it's eating well, you'll have to almost starve it out to get it to start switching to sandeels or silversides...it can take months of trying...but usually they all can be trained to eat frozen. You just need to be patient.

MrTuskfish · 07/26/2012, 09:33 AM

Everything about about Lions, including weaning. This is from two RC members:http://www.lionfishlair.com/careguides/lionfish.shtml

Andrew · 07/26/2012, 09:35 AM

I used to feed my dwards frozen shrimp and krill and they would go nuts. I would avoid feeding feeder fish.

sponger0 · 07/26/2012, 09:41 AM

Damsels?? Lmao...since no one wants to really keep them.

Chaotic Reefer4u · 07/26/2012, 09:41 AM

He'll come around dave, just be patient. Congrat's on the new purchase, please post some pik's...

Palting · 07/26/2012, 01:05 PM

Been reading up on lionfish and scorpionfish lately, as I am starting a FOWLR to be populated by these fish.

Live food using freshwater stock like goldfish and mollies provides the wrong mixture of fatty acids and results in liver failure if used long term. Ghost shrimp, "minnows" can be used initially, then hold off on feeding them to starve them, then start feeding frozen food. I've heard this is the best way in the long run. Read it can take several attempts. Some species and some individuals can wean over quickly, some not. Patience is key, like everything else in this hobby.

Head over to the FO section of this forum. I received great advice about lionfish from the people over there.

fredanthony · 07/26/2012, 07:18 PM

I've been looking into these as well. No fish yet but I would assume this would limit options right? Are these guys that aggressive? Could one you have with some clowns etc?

Palting · 07/26/2012, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredanthony

I've been looking into these as well. No fish yet but I would assume this would limit options right? Are these guys that aggressive? Could one you have with some clowns etc?

Any fish, even other lions, are potentially food for these guys. They can eat any fish that can fit in their mouth. And they have large mouths. Rule of thumb is half the lion's size. If it's less, it's food. A Dwarf Zebra lionfish gets up to 7", and a full grown Percula clown at 3" will be food for it. A Volitan lionfish gets up to 18". It can eat tangs

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07/25/2012, 11:52 PM	#1
Dave727 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 20	Just got a zebra dwarf lionfish Hello all, I just got a dwarf lionfish and have heard too many opinions on how when and what and how much to feed him. Ive heard goldfish, then I heard never feed him any freshwatee fish due to fatty issues in the meat , ive been feeding the rest of the tank normally with my marine cusine carnivore formula frozen food, he wants nothing to do wi th it . Please help.

07/26/2012, 05:49 AM	#3
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	If it's happy, it'll eat anything small enough that will fit into it's mouth, usually with great gusto. I've always fed them whatever I can get my hands on that is live, rosey reds usually, because they are readily available. Once it's eating well, you'll have to almost starve it out to get it to start switching to sandeels or silversides...it can take months of trying...but usually they all can be trained to eat frozen. You just need to be patient. __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

07/26/2012, 09:33 AM	#4
MrTuskfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Wild Blue Yonder Posts: 8,887	Everything about about Lions, including weaning. This is from two RC members:http://www.lionfishlair.com/careguides/lionfish.shtml __________________ If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat. Steve Current Tank Info: 180, 2-240 FOWLRs, 240 reef

07/26/2012, 09:41 AM	#7
Chaotic Reefer4u ♥Acropora Aficionado♥ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hollister,Ca. Posts: 5,163	Dwarf lion He'll come around dave, just be patient. Congrat's on the new purchase, please post some pik's... __________________ Live everyday as if it was your last, take time to smell the flowers, enjoy all things living, never take anything for granted, you just never know when your number might be up... Current Tank Info: * 90g. Reef Ready TruVu tank with 30g. Platinum Filtration Series Sump SpS Acro enthusiast *

07/26/2012, 01:05 PM	#8
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	Been reading up on lionfish and scorpionfish lately, as I am starting a FOWLR to be populated by these fish. Live food using freshwater stock like goldfish and mollies provides the wrong mixture of fatty acids and results in liver failure if used long term. Ghost shrimp, "minnows" can be used initially, then hold off on feeding them to starve them, then start feeding frozen food. I've heard this is the best way in the long run. Read it can take several attempts. Some species and some individuals can wean over quickly, some not. Patience is key, like everything else in this hobby. Head over to the FO section of this forum. I received great advice about lionfish from the people over there. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

07/26/2012, 12:55 AM	#2
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	I have saltwater acclimated mollies I sell as feeder fish. LoL . It's better to not use freshwater feeders. Try to ween it starting with live feeders to having a dead feeder then silversides on a stick. It can take awhile but lots of fish can be adjusted to eat other things. I'm no expert but just trying to help., keep at it!

07/26/2012, 09:35 AM	#5
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	I used to feed my dwards frozen shrimp and krill and they would go nuts. I would avoid feeding feeder fish.

07/26/2012, 09:41 AM	#6
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Damsels?? Lmao...since no one wants to really keep them.

07/26/2012, 07:18 PM	#9
fredanthony Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 97	I've been looking into these as well. No fish yet but I would assume this would limit options right? Are these guys that aggressive? Could one you have with some clowns etc?