Emergency help needed!

[lisann72]

We have a volitan lionfish. It's about 3" long. We've had it for a few weeks and he was doing great. Over the last two or three days, he's become very lethargic and not interested in eating. His color seems darker & we can't tell if he's got spots on him or if the spots were there and they're showing up now because he's darker. We're pretty new to SW tanks and aren't sure what to do to save our friend. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[lReef lKeeper]

how long has the tank been set up ?? has the fish ever eaten for you ?? what are the tanks parameters (Ammonia, Phosphates, nitrites, nitrates, salinity, temp, etc.) ?? can we get a close up pic of him ??

[lisann72]

The tank's been set up for about 3 months. We have an RO/D-I system and do regular water changes. We just tested the water today - Nitrates - 10-15, Nitrites - 0, Ammonia - 0, pH - 8.3, 1.025 for salinity, 80 degrees. We didn't check the Phosphates today but they've been 0. He has eaten regulary since we got him. We were feeding him Rosy Reds every day for about a week. Then we got him guppies for a few days. What about a QT tank for him? Not quite sure how to put a pic on a post.

[lReef lKeeper]

what are Rosy Reds ?? the guppies have no nutritional value for the lionfish. them being a freshwater fish ... the have nothing in them that a saltwater fish can use.

i upload all of my pics to photobucket and then link them here with the image code under the pic. the good thing about photobucket is that its free.

any other fish in the tank with him ?? how big is the tank ?? try feeding him some garlic soaked krill.

[lisann72]

The Rosy Reds I guess are a guppy. I tried to get ghost shrimp from my lfs but they never have them. We tried freeze-dried krill but he just won't eat them.

I can't get a good pic of him because he won't come out of the rock.

We have a 28 gallon nano. He lives with a few snails, hermit crabs, a black & white clown, a yellowtail damsel & a blue devil damsel. We just added a bubble-tipped anemone on Saturday.

Any thoughts as to why he would be so lethargic & hide??

[lReef lKeeper]

could be the small tank he is in. lionfish get HUGE ... they need a lot of room. i would suggest trying to return him to the LFS or giving him to someone with at least a 100 gallon display tank or FOWLR tank. he is likely extremely stressed from the tiny tank he is in.

unless you have a metal halide or T5s on the tank ... i would also suggest returning the anemone. they need more light than most all in one tanks can provide with stock lighting.

[Psychojam]

my guess is in line with Bobby's, I think your tank is overstocked. There are all sorts of compounds in our tank water that we don't test for that can get out of whack if the conditions are not optimized. Also, the damsel fish have a reputation for being very aggressive
This can also lead to a fish being stressed out. Stressed out fish can get sick. I say all of this based on general knowledge, since Ive never had a lionfish (though I think they're cool )

My suggestion would be to QT him and see how he does.

[fat walrus]

Rosy Reds are minnows. They are a product of the fishing bait industry. Know as Albino Fathead Minnows, they are bright enough to atract picisvoral fish, but are not deemed to be dangerous to the ecology.

Rosy Reds are sometimes offered as a replacement for goldfish feeders during spring, as goldfish feeders are between seasons during spring and early summer.

[veriann]

what book did you read that from..lol
it amazes me the stuff you know bud.

[Amphibious]

Hey Wally, good to see you come down off the BORG cube to honor us with your wisdom. How are things?

Lisann,

I agree with most of the above information. Lion fish require a larger "home" than a crowded 28 gallon. If he lives through this you won't have to worry about the Damsels being mean, he will eat them. I disagree that Guppies and Rosy Reds have nothing in them that a salt water fish can use. While not the best food for saltwater predators, they are flesh and bone and will provide the necessary energy to survive. Around the world, thousands of freshwater fish are feed to saltwater predators daily. THE REAL PROBLEM in doing so is, introducing internal parasites that survive in the gut of the Lion Fish. Guppies and Rosy Reds are raised for feeder fish under less than desirable conditions. Conditions that are ripe for proliferation of disease, both internal and external. Most are not visible to the naked or untrained eye. You take a risk feeding them to your Lion Fish. What is an alternative food source? Small live shrimp which are harder to find, as you are experiencing. However, if we, as hobbyists are willing to "buy" a critter, then we must take responsibility for it's long term care. That would begin with researching the needs of the critter and finding a source for the best food items. Unfortunately, most hobbyists impulse buy and then, when the critter gets into trouble, look for help. We need to teach the reverse action for better results.

Another observation, your tank is way too small and probably inadequately lit for an Anemone. I recommend taking it back for credit. If it dies, it will cause a mass amount of pollution that could wipe out your whole tank.

It may seem ridiculous, trivial or bothersome to you but, the best advice I can give beginners is to bring every decision here, to TR members, BEFORE making a decision on your own. You will gain knowledge faster and cheaper than any other way of learning. You will not be bothering us. TR was formed as a social forum for disseminating information about our favorite topic. As a member you are free to tap into the vast array of human intelligence that gathers here just for that purpose. Along the way, you get to meet some pretty cool people, too.

Welcome to TR, the friendly reefing place on the Net.

Dick

[lReef lKeeper]

Dick's "Nine Simple Rules" to buying fish.

[CarmieJo]

Hi Lisann and to TR.

Is your 28 gallon nano the NanoCube28 with the MH light? If so then it does have the intensity to support the BTA but it will get BIG. My BTA in my 54 is at least 9" in diameter! BTA's also need a mature tank with stable parameters.

Keep in mind that this is a 3" maroon clown hosting here and the anemone is partially retracted in this pic.

It seems like you have received some questionable advice so far. Do take Dick's advice and come to us before buying stuff for your tank. We can save you $ and grief!

[Psychojam]

Nice picture Carmie!