Fu Manchu vs. Fuzzy Dwarf

[dmitry]

So, I'm torn between getting one of these two Lions. What are the pros and cons? One article I read says Fu Manchu is one of the tougher Lions to keep and is hard to get to eat frozen foods. And they're quite shy. But they stay smaller than Fuzzys. Anybody have any experiences with both?

 

[nudilove]

Fu Manchu = MUCH harder to keep and keep well. Fuzzy dwarfs arent any walk in the park either but have a much better success rate. Check to make sure that the one at your fish store will actually eat any squid, silversides or krill as opposed to live feeders, this goes for both species.

 

[v-lioness]

The Fu Man Chu does not ship well and they can be tough to get on frozen foods.
Go with the Fuzzy, they can be weaned over, some are just more stubborn than others. The fuzzy may grow faster when young but the growth rate seems to slow down when they get around 4 inches. My fuzzy grew pretty fast than hit that 4 inch mark and it stayed 4 inches about a year or more, it is about 4 1/2 right not.
If you are questioning tank size, both dwarfs require the same tank size.
Chances are, neither lion will be on frozen foods when you get it, pick up a feeder stick from your LFS. Start off with ghost shrimp gut loaded with something nutritional before feeding them to your dwarf. Pick up frozen Silversides, frozen Sand Eels & Frozen krill to start weaning the lion over. Soak all your frozen foods in vitamins before feeding.
Once the lion is weaned over you can than add Squid, Octo, Ocean fish, Raw Shrimp, Scallops and so on to your lions diet.
Kaye

 

[dmitry]

Thanks!!
I've decided to get the Fuzzy since Fus aren't as aquarium-friendly. As far as weaning them to prepared foods and feeding ghost shrimp in the meantime - how do you keep ghost shrimp alive for any length of time? Live brine shrimp can be kept in a fridge for a few days. How do you get/keep a constant fresh supply of ghost shrimp without setting up a whole other system?

 

[toughguy80]

I just bought 2 dozen at a time and kept them in a bucket. Fed them some fish food and fed them to the lion. No heater, no filtration. Maybe 4 shrimp outta the 2 dozen would die off. After I went through that supply I dumped the water out and refilled it. Rinse & repeat.

 

[v-lioness]

Just like toughguy posted or just buy a few at a time. Your lion does not need to eat the shrimps daily, you want a few days in between feedings to try the frozen foods.
Kaye

 

[dmitry]

Lions need to be fed every other day, yes?
Are ghost shrimp fresh water or salt water creatures?
There's nowhere near me that has ghost shrimp in stock. The store closest to me says they can order them for me; so I'll probably have to get a few and try to keep them alive.
After you get your Lions to eat frozen, do you give them treats occasionally and get them live ghost shrimp? Or is that just too confusing?

 

[v-lioness]

Lions need to be fed every other day, yes?
When weaning your lion try the frozen daily, if after 5 - 7 days it will not take frozen than feed ghost shrimp. But you do not need to feed the lion ghost shrimp every other day. A lion can go a few weeks with no food....... Let your lion get hungry, this will help wean it over to frozen foods.
When on frozen, you can feed a small chunk daily or every other day. As your lion matures you can feed 2-3 small chunks (just until you see a slight bulge in the stomach) every 2-3 days.
Are ghost shrimp fresh water or salt water creatures?
Yes they are fresh water.
After you get your Lions to eat frozen, do you give them treats occasionally and get them live ghost shrimp? Or is that just too confusing?
I only do this when one of my lions fast, if they refuse food for 2 weeks or more (I try not to let them go more than 3 weeks) than I will add ghost shrimp to my tank. I check to see if they will hunt or are interested in any food, mine seem to start eating again after this, but I have a 300g with other lions plus other fish so I have to add 3-4 dozen shrimp at a time.
Kaye

 

[hot883]

Originally Posted by Dmitry
Lions need to be fed every other day, yes?
Are ghost shrimp fresh water or salt water creatures?
There's nowhere near me that has ghost shrimp in stock. The store closest to me says they can order them for me; so I'll probably have to get a few and try to keep them alive.
After you get your Lions to eat frozen, do you give them treats occasionally and get them live ghost shrimp? Or is that just too confusing?
I ordered ghost shrimp from florida and they are salt water. I try feeding every 2-3 days. I say try because some times the other fish in the tank swallow up the ghost shrimp before the lion gets to it.
I have a 15 gallon set up in the basement w/heater and hob filter. I feed the ghost shrimp (flake food) a day before I try feeding the lion.
I have been able to get the lion to eat dried krill twice and both times it was an instinct move as i threw it in and he swallowed the splash in front of him. Ha!

 

[67 demon]

I'm very happy to see this particular thread as i am also contemplating getting a Fu Manchu. Like has already been mentioned, I have also heard that they do not transition over to frozen foods very well, and so far is what has stopped me from purchasing one. I really, really want one. I have been told (and have read) by many people that you should try feeding it ghost shrimp. I have one theoretical issue with that. In my experiences that i have had ghost shrimp introduced into my tank (for my eel), my puffer and Picasso are all over it like white on rice. Logically, you would think to feed the fish first before introducing the ghost shrimp as to fill them up. So far, that idea has not worked. I don't think these two particular fish of mine either get full or realize they are full. :notsure: So anything that is still moving around in the tank and is smaller than them, is fair game for food.
Besides the difficulty in transitioning the Fu's to frozen foods, are there any other issues that they are notorious for? I have read but haven't found any. Thanks for any additiional help.

 

[v-lioness]

Besides the difficulty in transitioning the Fu's to frozen foods, are there any other issues that they are notorious for?
They do not ship well, if you do get one through your Lfs have them hold it for 7 - 10 days before bringing the lion home. Many die during this time, look at the eyes, make sure they are clear, I would also inspect the fins, look for fin rot.
Kaye

 

[v-lioness]

Here is some good info on lions, just in-case you did not see them......
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i2...lionfishes.htm
and
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php
Kaye

 

[jhebi]

I have a fu man chu lion and it took me almost 5 days for him to eat....Now he eats krill, squid, mussel have't tried silversides yet.....Need to buy more food for him....Eats like crazy when I feed him.....At least 7 or 8 pieces of krill.....