Getting A LionFish to hand Feed.

[hellweek]

I have been hiding in the shadows of this board for some time reading on all the things I did wrong when I started this hobby a few months ago.
I do have one interesting story that I am proud of let me take the time to share my story.
I purchased a Lionfish from the LFS 3 weeks ago without checking on the care of this fish, it is a stunning and aggressive fish and I just had to have it. I was just in awe with how the fish looked and hunted. Yes I was feeding it live fish!
After coming to this site I realized this was not in the best interest of the fish.
After reading the posts here I decided to try and get my Lion to stop eating feeder fish. The experience was very freighting for me and my pet. He refused to eat no mater how many times I offered or how I offered. For 14 days he refused to eat.
Last night he finally came up to my hand under water and he ever soooo gently took the food I was offering him. Yes he is now off of LF and even more interesting he will let me hand feed him. My wife did not believe me until I showed her. He would not eat the shrimp if I dropped it in front of him but when I offered it with my hands he would swim up very slowly and take it.
Is this normal? Is it ok to hand feed him? Yes I do understand that the can hurt you .

 

[buzz]

I'd be really careful doing that....that is cool, but dangerous.
From saltaquarium.about.com:
Identification
The Lion Fish is a member of the Scorpion Fish Family and is found in tropical waters worldwide. Being related as the Pterois species the names may vary, but they have a similar appearance in nature.
The spines of this fish are poisonous and can deliver a severe sting. The name sphex is the Greek word for wasp and was undoubtedly given to this species because of the severity of its sting. The spines of the dorsal fin and the rays of the pectoral fins are unusual because they are very long and extend far beyond the membranes connecting them. All of the pectoral rays are unbranched and the upper pectoral rays, in particular, are developed into long, feeler-like filaments. It is a exquisite, elegant and majestic looking fish, but don't let that deceive you. They are dangerous to the touch!

 

[hellweek]

Yes as a scuba diver I am aware of the sting this fish can give and am respectful of the fish for this reason. You see I once sat on a rockfish.
I don't want to continue hand feeding because I know its a matter of time before an accident happens and I get stung.
But faced with the option of watching my pet die or placing myself in danger I will side on the side of danger (Danger is the name my daughter gave him LOL). I have been sick with fear every day thinking he would die from hunger. How that he is eating we will try to get him to eat without my hand being so close to him.

 

[buzz]

Ouch! That sounds painful!
If you feed by hand, maybe try wearing one of those thick rubber gloves...might take some of the risk factor away...heh heh...
It is good that he is eating though.

 

[hellweek]

You dont even want to know how bad it hurt