Lion and eel not eating?

ohio reefer · Feb 20, 2013

I decided to move my clowns from my 90 gallon to my bio cube 29 gallon, I placed a dwarf lion (About 5 inches) And a Snowflake eel (30 inches) in this tank, I have had the eel for four days and he has not shown any interest in food, I have my other snowflake(Bob Saget, 16 inches) In my 55 and he freaks when I even put flakes in the tank anticipating his silversides are on their way. I have tried to feed him silver sides and he hasn't tried to eat them at all. The dwarf also isn't eating, he has been in the tank for a week now, I've tried bits of silversides, ghost shrimp, and live guppies (I never feed any of my fish live fish, I was just desperate to get him to eat, I know they're terrible for them) What's up?

slapshot · Feb 20, 2013

It's not unusual for either. The eel can go several weeks without eating when stressed. The lion, they can starve to death. Most starry with ghost shrimp and switch one slowly.

Reef Fever · Feb 20, 2013

are they newly acquired specimens? if so I will post my guide to training your lion in just a moment

Reef Fever · Feb 20, 2013

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.