Lionfish wont eat

[Saltwater Guy]

I purchased a juvinile violatin lionfish for my 125fowlr tank last week. Since i had him i have tried to feed shrimp (dead), flakes, brine shrimp, and feeder guppies. He will not eat anything. The feeder guppies would be inches from his mouth and he would just sit there. He tends to sit on the bottom of the tank and swims around everyonce in a while. Any suggestions or ideas are welcome.

[warren4066]

you might wanna test your water for nitrate, pH, and etc.

[jbphoenix]

Was he eating when you purchased him? I won't buy a lion unless I see them eat frozen food at the lfs. It can take some time to get lions to eat for the first time so you may just need to give him some time. You might want to try to wave a frozen silverside on a stick in front of him to see if you can get him interested.

I have 2 volitans now and they constantly go to the top of the tank and beg for food when I get close. They eat frozen Krill, Silversides and Shrimp.

Here is a picture of them begging as I stand in front of the tank.

[pisces77]

lions digest slowly and can go a few weeks without food. While I'd feed every other day, don't worry to much yet. Have you tried Ghost shrimp? Just make sure your parameters are in order, and try a few live foods. Once they will eat live, put the live foods on a feeder stick, then switch a thawed one in.

[Saltwater Guy]

thanks for the help ill try feeding with a stick

[Patchy]

so were the feeder guppies live that you tried to feed? maybe just check to see if he will even try live food. some lions are very stubborn and will only eat after being starved for a little while.

Is he being intimidated by tank mates? lions generally arent that aggressive and some triggers and so forth can upset them like any other fish.

With any predator that i have to ween onto frozen food i usually do in a small tank by their self till they relise i bring the food. if you got room maybe you should try this