Feeding Pterois Volitan

[Alentino]

Hi, I read somewhere that feeding volitans with nothing but freshwater fishes may cause them to contract defeciency dieseases over time, is that true? has anybody here experienced that?

And also how do i actually wean them into accepting brince shrimp cubes and pieces of fresh shrimps? I really know nuts about the art of weaning. Thanks a bunch.

[yus75]

feed mind w the fresh water shrimps......

[that was niceeeee]

if can try to wean them wit silverfish or market prawns...better

[auberon]

Was told it was better to feed them with market prawns or fish. Feeder fish and prawns don't really have enough nutritional value...

Got my pterois volitan over the weekend but doesn't seem to want to eat cut fish and prawn meat. Too afraid to wave it right infront of it's nose! Help!

Anyway trying with feeder prawns to eat first before trying market fish and prawns again.

[Alentino]

True, but how do i wean him into accepting dead stuffs when he stubbornly only accepts freshwater live sacrifices? hehe . is there any tried and true method of weaning anybody can share? I'm scared to dangle everything in front of him too auberon, he will erect his spines when stuffs go near.

[auberon]

Managed to wave a thin slice of fish just below the surface of the water and got him( or is it a her?) to eat it. But that was about it. After trying it out succesfully, doesn't really seem that dangerous 'cos the spine are to the side and back and it comes to you head on. Just make sure that you are holding on to the thin part of it so it can easily break off if you are not fast enough to let it go. Or of course release it just as it is closing.

But i guess if you really want to be cautious, you can get some kind of pinches. Maybe the kind for plucking eyebrows.

[auberon]

By the way, here's a pic of my fish..

[FuEl]

Hmmm..just side note in case you all pamper your pet lions alot.. .try not to feed a lionfish more than 3 meals a week. Feeding a lionfish too often will lead to an earlier demise.

[auberon]

Eek! Just confirmed what FuEl mentioned about feeding the fish from one of my books. Wonder why is that?

[DeepBlue]

they digest their food very slowly (just like a frogfish)..... overfeeding will shorten their lifespan....

most prob due to evolution..these are pretty slow moving fishes, though very good hunters...they dun catch food readily

[auberon]

Thanks man. Maybe that explains why my lion fish has not eaten my 2-3cm damsels yet...

[DeepBlue]

the bad news about it that damsels may look pretty appealing to your volitan....eventually...it will feed

if you like the damsel a lot...probably should get it out....but then again...catching and trapping damsels can be tough.

[auberon]

Actually I put the damsels in to make sure water is okay after weeks of cycling and having gone through some rot in on the LR. DOn't mind if the lion fish eats them . Saves me the trouble later. ....

Well at least that means my lion fish is well... Go Pterois Volitan!