Introducing Eels and Dwarf Lionfish to prepared foods.

[Zfishies]

I got my ghost eel 2 days ago (2nd day today) and last night i tried feeding him silversides (cut up) and he didnt seem very intrested just countinued looking around the tank. I will try cutting them even smaller, his mouth is not that big. maybe thats why? or should i try shrimp or squid.

And soon i will be getting 2 dwarf lion fish. How should i introduce them to prepared foods?

 

[Mudslinger14]

I've heard that garlic stuff works well on getting them to eat it...If not, then just keep trying..

They can be pretty stubborn, and sometimes you have to starve em a bit.

That's what I did with my catfish...But then he went and found a different source of food. My tiger barbs.

 

[Zfishies]

hmm garlic will be last resort ill try tomorrow he still seems shy/curiouse in the tank. i hope lionfish arent that hard to get on prepared i doubt it tho since lions (this species) is alot more active and should get hungrey quicker. Lol i dont think he will be able to eat his tankmate a yellow tang

 

[kasaki89]

lion fish , will accept anything really easy you have nothing to worry about ,

 

[Zfishies]

ighty thanks i hope to get the lions on shrimp and the eel on silver sides, i think everything will work out just gatta starve um' a bit

 

[kasaki89]

best thing to do for the eels , which i was say , is get a feeding stick , and try to make it look as real as possible , give the eel a little fun , know what i mean

 

[Zfishies]

i did use a feeding stick and put it next to him he didnt seem intrested. maybe i should try the head of the silver side first

 

[logo]

Here is a great site that has different techniques on weaning them onto prepared foods http://www.lionfishlair.com/feedingtechniques/toolsofthetrade.shtml

 

[FLESHY]

Hungry fish in a good set of conditions will eat 95% of the time without any issues.

Silversides IMO are not a good fish to start things off on. I have had the best luck weaning fish onto prepared foods with fresh shrimp from the grocery store. I hand-feed my lions....but i probably wouldnt be that bold with an eel.

 

[Comatose]

You don't need to do anything right now... let the eels acclimate. Don't let them eat live food.

+1 to fleshy too; grocery store food only, though it looks like ribbon eels do better when they start on silversides. Keep in mind you chose a species of eel that's notorious for refusing to feed and dying... best idea is to let the moray chill for a week, and offer small bits of food or silversides on a feeding stick - try to mimic actual fish movement too.

I'm also learning (the hard way) with one of my older morays that they are sensitive to thiamine deficiency, so choose food rich in vitamin B and/or supplement the food with vitachem or mazuri shark formula.