Lion acting weird in new tank, PLEASE HELP

[michelle9491]

Yesterday I finally got to put my lionfish, grouper and lobster in my new 125 tank. The tank was cycled and I even took out some of the water & put most of the water from the 55 (tank they were previously in) in the new tank. The grouper & lobster are doing fine, but the lionfish wont get off the bottom of the tank. I know lions dont swim that much, but I have had him for over 3 years and he doesnt act like this. He did fine even when we had to move to another house one time. Could I have possibly hurt him when taking him out of the other tank? He does move if you make him & all fins, body parts seem to look fine. Even the grouper seems to be consoling him, by laying beside him so that they are touching. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[v-lioness]

Just leave him, hopefully he will make the adjustment, you do not want him to stress anymore than it already has. Give it a few days.......
Have you tried feeding?
Have you checked the lion at night when lights are out to see if it is out swimming?
Have you been testing your water since the move?
Kaye

 

[michelle9491]

All the water tests are normal, I just put them in there yesterday around 3 pm so I havent tried feeding yet was planning on doing that tonite. I left the lights out after putting them in the tank so they wouldnt get stressed, turned them on for the first time this morning. Everone else in the tank is acting normal. He's in the exact same spot as last night. I have no idea what is wrong.

 

[michelle9491]

He turned around & now I can see his tail good. There are 3 spines at the bottom that are broken. He did put up a hell of a fight with the net, but I tried to be as gentle as I could. Should I turn the lights back off to prevent further stress or not???? Thanks in advance.

 

[v-lioness]

I would leave the lights off, when moving a lion try to use a bucket or large pitcher, nets can cause a lot of damage that we may not be able to see.
Make sure those areas are healing, if this lion gets cloudy eyes, or you see any sign of infection we can take this a different route. It may start shedding which I would not worry to much if it does, that could just be stress.
I probably would not try to feed it yet, if it does eat though, feed something nutritional, maybe a piece of raw shrimp with vitamins or cyclopezee injected into it.
Kaye

 

[dmitry]

And for future reference, if you ever have to move the Lion again - do not use a net!!!!

Their large spines and fins get tangled. Which is what happened this time. Good luck with him!

 

[michelle9491]

OK I know I screwed up in moving my lion, but he is really acting more weird now. Still alive & trying to swim sometimes (not mucn) Least he turned around & looked at me today which is progress, but he has the shakes. He tries to wim then all his fins start shaking and I have never seen this before. It's almost like he wants to move but is "drunk". Someone please help. This fish is my baby and I already feel bad enough about putting him through the stress, but I don't know what to do. Anybody please?????

 

[v-lioness]

Don't Panic Yet...... Sound like the fish is flashing, lions have a cuticle which covers the body when they are stressed, injured or even when they have a parasite they will shed the cuticle. It looks like whitish/clear skin that you may start seeing come off the lion, they flash (dart) when they are trying to remove this layer.
Kaye

 

[michelle9491]

YEAAA!! He finally got off the bottom this morning! Starting to swim some but would get a DUI if there were fish police in there. Will try to feed him tonight. Thanks so much for all your advice Lioness!!!!

 

[v-lioness]

My Pleasure, I am happy to hear your lion is up and about, keep us updated........
Kaye

 

[michelle9491]

Kaye, when he does shed does it float all over the place in pieces? By the way he is swimming now acting almost normal. I got some slimy looking stuff floating all over the tank. Let me know.
Michelle

 

[v-lioness]

That's the cuticle shed........ You can either leave it in the tank or syphon it out, either way. Good to hear your lion is well.....
Kaye

 

[michelle9491]

Just wanted to say thank you for all your help Kaye, also it nice to know another female is really into lionfish, he's my favorite and as soon as the tank gets a little more established I really want to get another one. I will probably ask for your help on that one in the future. Again thanks!! Michelle

 

[v-lioness]

No problem Michelle, I love lions and seem to favor the Volitan, I have 5 of them myself, let me know when you are about ready for your new addition.
Kaye