[ODDBALL361]

I'm down to 3 fish now my Lionfish finally got my last Yellowtail Damsel. I was kind of attached to the little guy he was the first resident in the tank he lasted about 3 months the other 2 Damels met their fate about a week after I put the Lion in the tank. I used the damsels to cycle the tank because I didn't know any better about the cycling process didn't know I could use a dead shrimp to do that. He always watched the Lion like a hawk. Always knew where he was in the tank. I guess he just slipped up last Saturday night because he was gone Sunday morning when I woke up.

[leebca]

Don't feel too bad.

Back in the 1970's there were no known alternatives to using a 'run-in' fish or fishes to start off the aquarium.

I set up my first 180 gallon aquarium in the early '70's and stocked it with a dozen damsels to 'run-in' the tank. Little did I know that I wouldn't be able to catch them after the tank bio filter was up and running.

Anyway, I thought for sure I could catch a slow moving lion fish. So I put one in. Slowly the damsels began disappearing. A few knew (it seemed) what was going on and kept clear of the lion fish.

I stopped feeding the damsels and got them real hungry. Then I dropped food in right in front of the lion fish. Lion fish didn't care about the damsel food. But the damsels would venture too close to the lion fish to get the food.

Then there were none! I snagged the lion fish and went on with my fish plans.

A lion fish eating a damsel is a part of the normal nutrient chain. It's Nature's plan so I never thought it was a shame or felt badly for this. It would be like feeling bad for the mouse you put into the snake cage. It's just Nature's way.

[newatthis]

Easier to let them get eaten than remove every hiding place in your tank!!! Im stupid. I removed over 100 lbs of rock and then my damsels tried to hide between my hermit crabs.