brett chisholm
New Member
***I am posting this message in several forums....so I apologize in advance. I just really, really need help!***
I have an adult elegant volitan lionfish in my 75 gallon reef tank. He is about 7 inches long. Up until this point, I have been feeding him krill, frozen. Last time when I ran out, the store only had Freeze dried. He was eating these just fine, but one day I witnessed him hit his nose on the glass panel above the tank when he was jumping to get a floating krill. His nose turned a little red under the skin and he stopped eating. Then, he extended his mouth and it appeared that his upper jaw had dislocated. Just the lip portion, It appeared to have separated so you can see the bone. Since the incident, I have not noticed him eating ANYTHING. He tries, desperately, but He will not open his mouth wide enough. He used to eat off of the ground occassionally, but I have not witnessed this, either. He seems to be afraid of the krill now. ( I have not tried to feed him Freeze dried that float on the top since the incident.)
After all of the background to my situation, my question is this... HOW CAN I HELP HIM TO EAT? I had not noticed any major signs of starvation yet, so I had been waiting it out to see if he could heal on his own, like most people have said to do. however, it has been 3 weeks, and I feel like today he might look llike he is getting a little skinny.
One shop reccommended that I try and feed him live food to get him into eating again, so I did. I tried Rosies, but he couldnt get to them. he would slightly try to bite at them, but the his jaw will get distended and he stops. It takes about 10 minutes go back to normal. Should I try some small shrimp or fish that can survive in the saltwater? Does anyone have any suggestions?? I am desparate here, I dont know how much longer he can go without eating.
Thank you.
I have an adult elegant volitan lionfish in my 75 gallon reef tank. He is about 7 inches long. Up until this point, I have been feeding him krill, frozen. Last time when I ran out, the store only had Freeze dried. He was eating these just fine, but one day I witnessed him hit his nose on the glass panel above the tank when he was jumping to get a floating krill. His nose turned a little red under the skin and he stopped eating. Then, he extended his mouth and it appeared that his upper jaw had dislocated. Just the lip portion, It appeared to have separated so you can see the bone. Since the incident, I have not noticed him eating ANYTHING. He tries, desperately, but He will not open his mouth wide enough. He used to eat off of the ground occassionally, but I have not witnessed this, either. He seems to be afraid of the krill now. ( I have not tried to feed him Freeze dried that float on the top since the incident.)
After all of the background to my situation, my question is this... HOW CAN I HELP HIM TO EAT? I had not noticed any major signs of starvation yet, so I had been waiting it out to see if he could heal on his own, like most people have said to do. however, it has been 3 weeks, and I feel like today he might look llike he is getting a little skinny.
One shop reccommended that I try and feed him live food to get him into eating again, so I did. I tried Rosies, but he couldnt get to them. he would slightly try to bite at them, but the his jaw will get distended and he stops. It takes about 10 minutes go back to normal. Should I try some small shrimp or fish that can survive in the saltwater? Does anyone have any suggestions?? I am desparate here, I dont know how much longer he can go without eating.
Thank you.
