LionFish W/ Mucus??

mimzy

Active Member
Just went into the LFS to visit my buddy volitans (he swims up to the tank and follows me around every time I go in there... wish to G-d I could buy him, but I don't have the set up yet),
and there was a dwarf zebra lion in there w/ something that looked like mucus hanging off of him. He was laying at the bottom of his tank, his gills were wiiiiiide open, and he didn't look too happy.
Anyone have any idea what this might be? I fear for that little one...I don't think he'll be around much longer.
 

thangbom

Active Member
look like cottin??? maybe it's ich
look like clear mucus?? maybe he got into a fight and is healing..
 

mimzy

Active Member
I guess I shoulda been more specific - sorry
it wasn't ich - was a clear mucousy film that hung off his fins. There was none on his body, it was just hanging off his spines.
Any ideas?
 

mimzy

Active Member
Oops...nevermind...just did a search...
apparently, Lionfish periodically shed their cuticle (mucous membrae that covers their body).
'Because they're a sedintary species, they tend to accumulate more detritous/parasitic organisms on their skin than non-sedentary fish, so they shed this membrane to clean themselves off - so to speak.
Kewl - learned somethin new today!! :joy:
 

f1shman

Active Member
i heard that someone watched a lionfish shedding, I've had mine for 2 years (black volitan) and never seen it shed... its like 10 inches now its huge.
 

mimzy

Active Member
Yah, I read that they tend to do it at night when no one's around - and that it either gets eaten by tankmates or gets swept up into the filtration system, so most pple never know.
There are also lots of arguments over how often they do this - some say a sick lion will shed a LOT, and some have recorded that their lions shed as often as every 2 weeks, others say once a month, and still others say they've never seen it :happy:
These lions never cease to amaze me..... one day I'll have enough cash and space.... one day.... :jumping:
 

thangbom

Active Member
hum.. cool.. i learned something new todays too!! thx for the info mang!!!....(never had a lion before) :cheer: :cheer:
 
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