Lionfish

kuja

kuja

Member
Our lionfish about 3 weeks ago hurt his jaw...the left side of his face was extremely swollen making his face on that side look round...even his gills on that side was puffed up...he looked like a chipmunk with stores of food in his mouth...
we are still not sure if he just extremely bruised that side of his face or if he actually broken something...the ant-inflammatory medication has finally started to kick in and has brought down the swelling to about half of what it was...the gills are starting to look normal again...
it also has been 3 weeks since he has last eaten...he is starting to move his jaw more, but is still refusing to eat...he will chase after the food, but won't open his mouth to eat...i am thinking of either getting small ghost shrimp or small fish...i am wondering which one will be easiest to catch and won't hurt his jaw in the process...i know ghost shrimp are jumpers and may try to jump around in his mouth...or should i just stick with the frozen food and wait for him to eat it?
 
S

saxman

Guest
It sounds like the fish may have bashed its mouth on something either chasing live food or from being startled and smacking itself.
If the swelling appears to be going down, and the fish was a solid feeder, you could wait and see how hungry it is once it heals up. You can offer its normal fare in the meantime...are you stick-feeding?
I'd use live ghosties over fish if you try something live. In fact, you might want to try a "skewered" live ghostie (still wiggling) and see if the lion takes it off the stick.
I recommend using a piece of 50 lb test monofilament attached to an acrylic rod, commercial feeding stick, or even a bamboo skewer so the fish never comes into contact with the "stick proper":


Don't worry...lions can go awhile without eating, and being hungry may help get it back with the program. Do keep us posted.
 
kuja

kuja

Member
he was a very good eater and extremely active for a lionfish...i will try the skewer with a ghost shrimp
 
kuja

kuja

Member
He started moving his jaw today, so I throw in some ghost shrimp and he ate them with no problems...he still has a nasty bruise on the side of his face, but at least he is eating ^^
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top