Lionfish on a hunger strike..any ideas?

[jester]

I have had my lion for about 8 months. He is a little over 7 inches. About 3 months ago, he decided to stop eating. I made no changes to the tank. All the water tests show in the good, and the other fish (tang, clown) are still as stupid as ever. I have him isolated in a quarintine tank now, but that is'nt helping his attitude. Someone please help.

 

[tyrfing]

Initially, neither of my Lions (sadly now deceased) would eat until I dropped some silversides into the power heads. The jets shot the ss across the tank and the movement stimulated their hunting instincts. A friend I have would

[hr]
a chunk of shrimp on a feeding rod and tap the lion until he got upset and bit the food. Once that happened, he realized it was chow and ate happily. Not sure about this second method, I think it has the real chance of stressing your fish out.

 

[jester]

I have tried both of those methods. neither work. He seems to withering away to nothing due to malnutrition. Has any body had a problem like this?

 

[guppie]

Sounds like he has something wrong on the inside, You say he has not eaten for 3 months, and he is still alive, that is a long time without food. Have you tried live food, maybe gost shrimp. You might want to treat for an internal parsite. Good Luck

 

[tyrfing]

Check his appearance. Are any of the spines showing from his rays? Any scales pealing back? Any white powdery substance covering him? Post in the Disease Forum, Beth and Terry B are really good about getting back to people. Time is of the essence, I lost both of my lions after waiting too long.

 

[jester]

yeah. i've been able to see a few spines though his rays in the last week or so. no spots. tried the parasite forum, i'll see what comes up there.

 

[tyrfing]

Sorry to say it Jester, but sounds like your lion has the same thing mine had. I would tell you right now to start treating with Maracyn II which is an antibiotic. Hopefully you can stop the progression and save the little guy. Good luck in the disease forum!

 

[rapt0r32]

A Lion not eating. Very odd. And I mean very odd. I couldn't keep mine from eating. Ghost shrimp was the fav of mine. Sadly though I lost a clown because I ran out of shrimp one day and he decided he would take matters into his own hands. Good Luck...