Lionfish not eating

[67Demon]

I have had my Volitans for about a year now and until about a month ago he has stopped eating. Before that, he had a healthy appetite. I went to AD the other day and the crew advised I try live foods since I had tried other conventional methods of feeding (i.e. food on a stick, food soaked in garlic). I just tried feeding live ghost shrimp and he still wont eat. He stalks the shrimp like he used to do, but he will only "jab" at the shrimp but not make a full committed effort to feed. He doesnt open his mouth when he jabs.

Nitrates in my tank are a bit high, about 60, but all other readings (except phosphates-no tester) are within acceptable parameters. Any suggestions, ideas, concerns would be much appreciated.

[ErikH]

Drop the trates! Try some good healthy water changes over this week and see if you can eliminate them. What is your salinity? Have you verified it? Temp? Any new additions? Fish list? Any fish pickin?

[67Demon]

Yeah, i realize I need to lower the nitrates and am working on that. Salinity is 1.023. Temo is 78 degrees. No new additions, last addition was about 6 months ago or so.

Fish list:
-Volitans Lion
-Black Hawaiian Trigger
-Clown Trigger
-Domino Damsels (3)
-Miniatus Grouper

No fish are picking on him. Within the last month he has just been laying on the sand or perched upside down on a rock or the overflows. Nothing too unusual for him. He minds his business and the others pay him no mind.

[tropicana]

Ive got some peppermint shrimp cheap if you want some to try and see if he will eat those since they are a hair bigger than ghost shrimp... Did you try using tongs and waiving a dead silverside in front of him after dipping the silverside in garlic juice. Garlic brings his appetite back...

[67Demon]

Yeah, I've tried garlic soaked silversides and krill. I think he may be obstructed but i havent found out a solution (or if there is one without surgical intervention) for this problem.

[ErikH]

Of if he is full he may need time to digest. My old scorpion ate a fish as big as he was. It took about 2 weeks before he ate again.

[mathias]

hope he is eating.....


next time tell the lionfish the damsels was talking about his mother so then he can start eating and you get rid of the damsels.....


2 problems solved :)

[shanker]

I had a lion fish about 5 years ago that after having him for 18 months, he quit eating, it was not because he didnt try, it was because he couldnt seem to open his mouth, he eventually jumped out of the tank :(