Lionfish training

[scary gary]

Just thought I'd share how I got my dwarf lionfish to eat frozen food. I have always wanted one, but didn't have a big enough tank, or the right tank mates. Then 3 months ago I came across a dwarf about 1 1/2 inches long. I new I would be able to keep it in the 10 gal. for awhile and have found a home for him when he out grows my tank. Got him home and tried to feed him the next day. He wouldn't eat the frozen silversides. No luck with clam,mussles or oysters. I went out and bought baby guppies, to feed him. He eat them right away. One every other day. I knew that he was'nt getting the right nutrition from freshwater fish so I had to get him to eat frozen. I got my small 2 in. net and would put the guppie in the net and hold the net against the glass. As soon as the lionfish saw the guppie moving, he would come over to invesgate. I'd turn the net towards the lion and he'd lunge for the guppie. I did this for a couple of weeks. The lion got so used to the net, that he would swim into the net for the guppie. Next, I would put a dead guppie in the net and moved the net around so it looked alive. Bingo, he eat the dead guppie. Did this for 2 weeks. Next the frozen silversides. Another bingo. He now eats what ever I put in the net. I even tricked him into eating flakes,but 30 seconds later he spit them back out. I guess he got the last laugh. When I clean the front glass, and want him out of the tank, all I do is put the net in and he hops right in. Now all I have do is to get him to eat without the net... And I did try the frozen fish in the net before I did the guppie thing.

[fishfogg]

Just a thought, but have you tried garlic xtreme, from Kent/Marine. not that i have got into the tricker fish yet, but i have used it, and you could tell, the fish were looking for a feeding.


Fishfogg

[scary gary]

Tried it before the guppies and it didn't work. I think the swimming movement is what triggered the feeding reponse, and after awhile the black net now triggers his feeding. I'm getting him to eat stuff outside of the net but the net has to be nearby. I will slowy keep moving the net farther away till he eats without it.

[fishfogg]

Wow, if anything you would think he would be scared of the net, and ya like i said just a thought, the fish i used it on were already eating like horses, i just bought it to have inadvance, as a possible option, if and when. Good luck with the little guy.


Fishfogg

[Ronnie]

Hi, I am a dwarf Lionfish and I thought I would share a story about how I trained my owner.

I wanted to make sure I got a variety of foods to eat including live guppies, clams, silversides,etc. and every once in a while I like to go to a different tank for a bit. It takes patience, but you first you have to refuse the first thing they offer you to eat.......

[Scottish]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm this is an interesting concept, thanks for the info. For attempting to feed dead prey items to begin one attempt tying a small length of light test (to simulate a more "free" look) fishing monofilament to the intended prey (shrimp, fish, etc....). Tie the remaining end to a rock or aquarium decor and place in a higher current area of the tank. Hopefully this will trick the lion. One may always hope.

[scary gary]

He's now eating what ever I throw in the tank without the net. If he dosn't like it he spits it out.

[mocha4sale]

That is sooo cool! Congratulations. I love hearing these kind of stories

Jocelyn