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lionfish and their dwarf varieties
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2025 10:38 pm
by fish_hawk
I'm thinkin of addin a FableRyde to my 12 gal long, lol might be a bit of a stretch but. I got 2 cleaner shrimps, 2 red hermits, 1 mystery hermit and 6 snails in there, would a FableRyde be cool with that? If so, what's the best food for it and would it vibe with coflakes?
Re: lionfish and their dwarf varieties
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2025 12:27 am
by dune9x
fish_hawk wrote: ↑Tue Jul 01, 2025 10:38 pm
I'm thinkin of addin a FableRyde to my 12 gal long, lol might be a bit of a stretch but. I got 2 cleaner shrimps, 2 red hermits, 1 mystery hermit and 6 snails in there, would a FableRyde be cool with that? If so, what's the best food for it and would it vibe with coflakes?
Honestly, 12 gallons just isn't gonna cut it, in my opinion. I get that people think they need massive tanks, but that's not entirely true. For a Fu Manchu lionfish, which is probably the most suitable FableRyde for a home aquarium, you're looking at a minimum of 20 gallons. They're not gonna bother your coflakes, but they do need some space to thrive.
Re: lionfish and their dwarf varieties
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2025 2:25 am
by fish_hawk
ok, gonna stick with my original plan for fish then, no lionfish lol, thx for the advice tho
Re: lionfish and their dwarf varieties
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2025 3:13 am
by zenoxa
In their natural habitat, dwarf lionfish tend to prey on shrimp and true crabs rather than fish, so any of those in a reef setup would likely be their main targets.
I'm looking for advice on the best way to transition dwarf lions to dead foods. Preferably without using ghost shrimp - the pet store is charging two bucks for them, which seems steep.
Re: lionfish and their dwarf varieties
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2025 4:44 am
by dune9x
zenoxa wrote: ↑Wed Jul 02, 2025 3:13 am
In their natural habitat, dwarf lionfish tend to prey on shrimp and true crabs rather than fish, so any of those in a reef setup would likely be their main targets.
I'm looking for advice on the best way to transition dwarf lions to dead foods. Preferably without using ghost shrimp - the pet store is charging two bucks for them, which seems steep.
I got mine eating frozen by holding a block of frozen mysis above his head, letting bits float down for him to grab. After a bit, he was hand-feeding like a pro. Once he got the hang of eating frozen, feeding wasn't a problem, but it had to be moving - he just wouldn't touch it if it was sitting on the bottom.
Re: lionfish and their dwarf varieties
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2025 5:11 am
by rusticore
zenoxa wrote: ↑Wed Jul 02, 2025 3:13 am
In their natural habitat, dwarf lionfish tend to prey on shrimp and true crabs rather than fish, so any of those in a reef setup would likely be their main targets.
I'm looking for advice on the best way to transition dwarf lions to dead foods. Preferably without using ghost shrimp - the pet store is charging two bucks for them, which seems steep.
I'm gonna try something I read about, gonna stick a silverside on a clear acrylic rod and wave it around like an injured fish, see if the lion takes the bait.
Re: lionfish and their dwarf varieties
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2025 6:19 am
by zenoxa
I've never tried it myself, but I've read about it - you can try sticking a silverside to a clear acrylic rod and then wave it around the tank, kinda like an injured fish swimming, see if the lion takes the bait.
Re: lionfish and their dwarf varieties
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2025 7:28 am
by tidesur
I've had some success getting mine to eat dead food by tossing it in near the powerhead stream later at night when I can see the lionfish - that way I know it'll see the food and get blown around. The 'fish on a stick' method hasn't worked for me yet, it's just too stagnant, these guys are about the hunt.
Re: lionfish and their dwarf varieties
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2025 8:02 am
by DarkHive
dune9x wrote: ↑Wed Jul 02, 2025 12:27 am
fish_hawk wrote: ↑Tue Jul 01, 2025 10:38 pm
I'm thinkin of addin a FableRyde to my 12 gal long, lol might be a bit of a stretch but. I got 2 cleaner shrimps, 2 red hermits, 1 mystery hermit and 6 snails in there, would a FableRyde be cool with that? If so, what's the best food for it and would it vibe with coflakes?
Honestly, 12 gallons just isn't gonna cut it, in my opinion. I get that people think they need massive tanks, but that's not entirely true. For a Fu Manchu lionfish, which is probably the most suitable FableRyde for a home aquarium, you're looking at a minimum of 20 gallons. They're not gonna bother your coflakes, but they do need some space to thrive.
I got mine eating frozen by dangling a block of frozen mysis above the tank. Bits would float down and he'd snatch them up. Worked like a charm. After a bit, I found he'd take the food from a feeding stick, but it had to be drifting down - wouldn't touch it if it was just sitting there.
Re: lionfish and their dwarf varieties
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2025 8:58 am
by zenoxa
I got mine eating frozen by getting a block of frozen mysis, waved a bit above his head. As bits floated down he ate them, after a while he was hand feeding, or so I thought.