Lionfish food

[CaptainsReef]

I have a dwarf fuzzy lion. He was doing great eating frozen krill then he nipped the stick and that was the end of it. Now he will only eat good ghost shrimp. The LFS (Petco) is NOT close and they don't always have good shrimp.

I've been doing a lot of research and it seems like fresh water food is not a good option. Tonight I found a strain of ghost shrimp that are saltwater!

Has anyone heard of these guys? Do you trust them? Do I need to QT? They suggest letting them love in reproduce in the refugium. Thoughts?

https://www.aquaculturenurseryfarms.com/live-saltwater-fish-food/saltwater-feeder-shrimp/

 

[welsher7]

I have never used the vendor you are asking about but what kind of feeding stick were you using? Have you tried switching to silversides? What kind of lion is it and how big is the fish? How long have you had it? A healthy lionfish of decent size can go some time without eating.

 

[Crazyfishguy]

Try silversides. That’s what worked best for me.

 

[CaptainsReef]

I have never used the vendor you are asking about but what kind of feeding stick were you using? Have you tried switching to silversides? What kind of lion is it and how big is the fish? How long have you had it? A healthy lionfish of decent size can go some time without eating.

He's a fuzzy dwarf lion, very small, about 3 inches. We've had him since February. We've tried a couple different sticks, the one he nipped was like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0747MB9CT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Z4jRCbNW0EXSQ

We've also tried rigid air line with fishing line. He gets excited and come to look but then turns his back.

Is there another vendor you would recommend for saltwater feeder shrimps? We have not tried silversides.

 

[CaptainsReef]

Try silversides. That’s what worked best for me.

No, haven't tried them. Are they live?

 

[welsher7]

Silversides are small whole frozen fish.

I would try the rigid airline/fishing line with a whole silverside. With it being an actual fish and the movement you can get with the fishing line it should get it to feed.

 

[CaptainsReef]

Silversides are small whole frozen fish.

I would try the rigid airline/fishing line with a whole silverside. With it being an actual fish and the movement you can get with the fishing line it should get it to feed.

I got the silver sides today. They are actually as big as the lion fish! The girl at the store suggested cutting them up and waving them around in front of him. She said they are super small so that should get his attention will let you know how it works, fingers crossed lol

 

[welsher7]

Good luck! Be patient and let us know how is goes.

 

[CaptainsReef]

Good luck! Be patient and let us know how is goes.

Thanks lol! First attempt was a bust. It took forever then he tried to grab it and gave up when it didn't come off the line. Need to figure out another way to attach the file to the line so it releases easily.

 

[welsher7]

At least it is interested, that’s a good sign. Keep trying.

 

[Gp!]

I have a dwarf fuzzy lion. He was doing great eating frozen krill then he nipped the stick and that was the end of it. Now he will only eat good ghost shrimp. The LFS (Petco) is NOT close and they don't always have good shrimp.

I've been doing a lot of research and it seems like fresh water food is not a good option. Tonight I found a strain of ghost shrimp that are saltwater!

Has anyone heard of these guys? Do you trust them? Do I need to QT? They suggest letting them love in reproduce in the refugium. Thoughts?

https://www.aquaculturenurseryfarms.com/live-saltwater-fish-food/saltwater-feeder-shrimp/

I've ordered those shrimp from them. They are living in my rocks.

 

[lion king]

I keep a few lionfish and have been keeping them for about 30 years. I've always kept my dwarf and medium lions on live ghosties, guppies, and mollies. Most people arguing against feeding fresh water fare like the ones I've mentioned, they likely have never kept one of these lions long term. I just started a discussion in the Predator section here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/an-arguement-for-feeding-live-foods.582822/#post-5932347s
If you just have to saltwater fare try here: https://www.livebrineshrimp.com/ good luck if you are not doing qt offering anything coming from a marine source.