lion

[dogman]

Just got a 2.5in. baby violitan lionfish yesterday. It had been darting around to the top of the tank today and just died today. Anyone have any thoughts as to what happened? All parameters of water quality are very good and no fish were harrassing it.
Was it just to young to survive in a tank? Any thoughts or opinions are appreciated. THANKS

 

[dubba-r]

Sorry to hear that, I was just reading your other post at the other forum about your new acquisition.
It could of had some sort of disease when you got it from the fish store. But to die the next day can mean that it was suffering from something serious.
Was it breathing hard? Does the skin have any blotches or discolored patches?
Also, have you put any copper type medication in your tank recently? I ask because Lions can not tolerate copper because they are scaleless.

 

[stacyt]

Also lions require a high amount of dissolved oxygen. If there is not enough oxygen content in the water they will not survive. My 1st attempt with a lion was similar to what you described. I added a protein skimmer, that produces a high amount of oxygen content in the water, and I havn't had a problem with my second lion.

 

[dogman]

I have two protein skimmers, one Remora Pro with mag 7 pump and a Prizm. Yes the Lion was breathing hard. I think the O2 of the tank was plenty as I have in addition to the skimmers two filters, two power heads and a hang on refugium. No copper used ever, and no discoloration on the skin. More ideas welcomed, and THANKS again.

 

[stacyt]

How was he doing in the LFS? Was he eating? If so what where they feeding him? Also how did you acclimate?

 

[dubba-r]

Possibly the lion ate one of your cleaner crew and choked?
btw, dogman are you getting lots of micro bubbles with your Remora Pro?
I have the optional prefilter on mine with the mag3 pump, and damn this thing is still putting lots micro bubbles in the tank. Its been running for quite some time now (3-4 months)

 

[dogman]

He was ok at the lfs and he did eat some brine at the lfs although when I checked the lfs water in the bag with the lion the nitrates were off the scale like over 160ppm. Thinking back the lion was not overly active, which I thought was normal.
I have the prefilter also on the remora pro and pretty much no micro bubbles, but I don't get alot of scum in the x-large collection cup, mostly white foam. The only reason for this I can think of is a very light bio-load in thie 125g. BTW the only cleaner crew I have is 4 conchs, and two cleaner shrimp at this time and all are in the tank. THANKS for the continued support.

 

[killmerfl]

I am so sorry to hear about your new fish. )First what size tank do you have? It is to my knowledge anytime a fish is darting around a tank you should shut off all lights and let them get accustomed to the new tank. I have a Pterois volitan, she is a wonderful fish when I got her she was about 3 inches I have had her 4 years now and she has reached near 10 inches. So just hang in there and keep trying they are wonderful fish for you tank although they do not get along with many other fish.
killmerfl@aol.com

 

[hnf2k]

bring him back to the fish store for store credit and see what they say the cause of death was.

 

[stacyt]

How did you acclimate, and for how long? If the LFS water tested at 160 for nitrates he was probably already suffering. Then the stress of the move might have been to much. You may want to reconsider buying anything else from that place, I know I would. You should leave the lights off when you are adding a new specimen to the tank. I usually leave my lights off the rest of the day, and do not turn back on until the following day.

 

[jake22]

You might have acclimated him badly.

 

[dubba-r]

Also, I heard lions are very sensitive to being caught with nets. I heard it aggitates their skin. Next time you get one small enough, ask the pet store to catch it in a plastic container instead of netting it. Do the same when you put it in your tank.

 

[dogman]

Yes, I didn't like the use of a net by the lfs because the place where I got my queen angel last Nov. used a plastic container which I was impressed with. Could the high nitrates from the store be do to the fish being in a bag and possibly urinating in the bag? My nitrates in my tank are at 10ppm.
BTW the way I acclimate is fifteen min. floating followed by every five min. pouring a small cup of tank water in the bag every five min. or so doing this a few times over and empting the water out of the bag in between.
I also was a little leary of buying such a small, and young lion. I even mentioned this to the LFS before I left, and they said it should be fine.
One other note when the guy put the lion in the bag he blew his breath air in the bag and I corrected him and made him use O2. I always understood, that was bad because of carbon monoxide. I should go mention this to the owner of the LFS, I hope he is unaware of this blowing in the bag practice.
I do appreciate everyones interest in my lion, THANK YOU

 

[wamp]

My first guess is that he was malnourished and in decline before you got him. Small lion fish are not the hardiest of fish. The are very sensetive to water conditions and stress.