sad lionfish

[vickilee]

I have a Dwarft Fuzzy lion fish. He has never been a great frozen krill eater, but that is what he was weaned onto when I bought him so I just struggled through to feed him. He really is very uninterested to eat and will only eat a krill every other day or so.
The problem is for the last four days or so he hasn't eaten at all and is sitting on the bottom of the tank in a corner. He just looks sad. He has no unusual coloration and the tank chemistry is fine. We have not introduced anyone new into the the tank and everyone else is as happy as little clams.
Any idea what I can do to perk him up? His name is Fu.
Thanks for the help.

 

[simm]

Have you tried soaking the food in some garlic? It may intice him.

 

[vickilee]

Nope. What kind of garlic? How much? Never tried that, but I'm willing to.

 

[simm]

Its called Kents Garlic Xtreme. Your LFS should have it. Just put a few drops in his food and let it soak for a few minuts. Most fish can not resist the smell of garlic. This formula intices finiky eaters to eat. Also it helps improve their immune system.

 

[vickilee]

Thanks Simm, I'll definately try it!!! I have a puffer who on occasion will get finicky too! Keep your fingers cross!!!

 

[kev]

If the water is fine, and your lion looks ok. You should be fine, lions can go a month with no food. Its not rare at all for them to go a week or more without eating at all. I wouldn't worry too much if I were you.

 

[itchy]

I have a picky lion myself and he eats on his terms when he is ready. I can always tell when it is time to eat as he hangs upside down at the top of the tank beggin for food. He will sometimes go a week without eating. He did at one time have a 60.00 dinner in less than 3 days as he ate 3 firefish....so maybe he was still full. The garlic thing seems to work with him very well on his stubborn days.

 

[eslowfiddy]

Maybe he is just lonely and needs attention. Have you tried petting him? hehe
-E

 

[itchy]

Yeah ES I pet his prickly as* everyday.........lmao

 

[vickilee]

Thanks all,
Lion fish is still not eating, but still looking well. I will try and
take everyones advise and not fret too much with his stubborness
in not eating. I appreciate all the advise and encouragment!
V

 

[supercichlid]

Have you tried other foods? My dwarf fuzzy lion LOVES prawns. That is his staple diet.
He loves large krill too..
how often do you usually feed your lion? And what tankmates are in with him?
I feed my lion once every 2 days. Sometimes once every 3 days..
I've been told the trick is to keep the lion hungry. Dont feed it every day...
Try that.
James

 

[vickilee]

Hey James:
He is in a fish only tank with a tang, angel, puffer......
He was eating one krill a day, but now he is on this starvation thing? It's been over a week now. I went and got him ghost shrimp and those didn't even entice him. One ghost shrimp walked right under him. He just looked at it and looked away. I tried the garlic and that didn't work either. I dunno..........
v

 

[supercichlid]

I have no idea then, especially if he is not eating ghost shrimp.
Hopefully frank (FMarini)will be able to offer some further advice.

 

[brat_23]

Okay, I don't know if this will work, but its worth a try...
You see, my dad used to have a lion fish a long time ago, and it wouldn't eat the krill either. At first my dad thought that something was wrong with it too, but then he put some feeders in the tank(he used goldfish) and the lionfish ate them all up. Maybe it'll work for you.