Here is what I do step by step
Step 1: Acquire a healthy specimen lol
Step 2: Choose your feeder. (ghost or grass shrimp, doesn't matter) I use ghosties because they are easier to find and more readily available.
Step 3: Keep a stock of the feeders just in case this step of the process takes a little longer. It is up to you (the food god) to decide which way you want to do this. I take the ghostie straight from the holding container and stick him on the clear acrylic feeding stick (you may choose to kill your ghostie more humanely, but I recommend against it). While the shrimp is on the stick it may still "twitch" a bit. This will only aid you in your process. The lion at this point can see the stick is there, yet does not mind it as the delicious shrimp is right there for the gulping! This is a crucial step because it acclimates the lion to the stick and lets them know that when this rod comes pokin through the water, food is on its way. Do this step only upon the first feeding attempt. However, if your lion refuses the ghostie then repeat this step until the lion takes the ghostie 100% of the time.
Step 4: Once the lion takes the "live" shrimp from the stick EVERY time, move on to something frozen. Make sure you give your food of choice a proper thaw. At first lions may be finicky with a "cold" meal. If you are lucky, like in the case of my hawaiin red eye, the second day I had her she was eating scallops of the stick. Don't expect that though!! My recommendation for the next transitional food is krill. Try to use pieces that look as "whole" as possible. You may need to "dance" the krill along the rock-work or simulate it "walking" along. If you get even the SLIGHTEST head turn from your lion then you are in business!! If they get interested but still turn away, just try again the next day!
DO NOT be pushy about putting the food in the lions face. This is unnatural and will
freak the lion out.
Step 5: Once you make it past Step 4 and your lion accepts krill EVERY time, try new foods. Krill, while part of a nice varied diet, SHOULD NOT be the staple of your lions diet. Some lions will forever depend on the stick..others will eat food dropped in the tank. It really is the luck of the draw.
Believe it or not, buying fresh fish from your local supermarket can prove to not only be beneficial but also quite inexpensive. Many items can be chopped up and frozen for use at a later date. Below I will list some of my recommendations for what to feed from the supermarket....
Acceptable Food Items for Your Lion: Lobster, Scallops, Cod, Salmon
(caution:very oily), Shrimp, Red Snapper, Squid, Clams
My lions
LOVE scallops and lobster.
I hope this helps! I'm sorry if its not super clear, its late and I'm pretty tired! LOL
