Lionfish won't eat

[Lionfishlover]

Ok, we have had this lionfish for 7 months, 125 gallon tank-water quality tested and seems ok. We have had problems--ich that was treated and overcome(copper-safe). Ich was when we added a blue hippo tang (4 months ago). Added a stars and stripe puffer (2 months ago). Our tang is extremely aggressive-well fed-but annoys the lion and puffer(puffer can hide in our finger coral). We feed lion raw shrimp-that he usually will eat big chucnks of. We also use emerald entree and mysis shrimp. He has had periods where he has refused to eat--at first we thought he had lockjaw. No. Then we thought he was blind....no. We watch the tank--and I think the Tang is really stressing him out. He finally nipped at the tang with that big mouth. He hasn't eaten in about 5 days. Our local fish store is sick of my calls, I am sure.
He has shed his skin often, and last week there was a red, blood like color on his tail fin(all the way through). I thought tail rot, but it has healed. We added copper just in case. Now I am thinking maybe he needs antibiotics...he will see me and swim to the top to feed, but the food lands on his nose and he swims away. Are we needing to get rid of the tang? My $80 tang? Geesh I want to add other fish, but am extremely discouraged. As it is, we have a puffer that hides, a lion that hangs still, and a tang that shows his pretty self(although I did notice some white speckles on his upper nose between eyes....?)

Ok sorry so long--any advice would be GREAT.
Thanks in advance.

[rluix]

Could you post the Results of the Ammonia, ph, nitrate and nitrite tests? Thanks.
Also yes, it could be your tang, but we will have a better answer as son as you post the results

[leebca]

I'm not convinced yet that you actually have good water quality. The 'shedding' of the Lionfish is not usual in the best of conditions. I've noticed it increase in frequency in poor water quality. That doesn't mean your measurements of ammonia and nitrite are wrong (although they could be), but there may be something else in the water that is not good.

The water quality stress added to the tank mate stress is certainly enough to put a fish off of eating. However, these predatory fishes should only be fed twice (maybe thrice) a week when very small and once every 5 days when they are adults. Varying the diet is very important.

Shrimp tail is good meat, but not a 'whole' food. The predatory fishes eat the whole fish -- eyes, guts, skin, organs, etc. and the whole crustacean - shell bits, antennae, legs, guts, and tail flesh.

So now, there is the possibility of there being a third stressor on the fish -- poor nutrition.

Things to do to address these matters:
1. Improve foods that you offer and cut back on feeding offerings -- spike foods with vitamins and fats;
2. Separate this fish from the fish(es) that are antagonistic towards it; and
3) Perform a very large water change (over 85%) and then offer some food. Follow this guideline for the large water change: How to Make a Successful Water Change
4) Read up and investigate other sources of water contamination, starting here: What is Water Quality

If the Lionfish wants to eat after the water change, look more closely for signs of poor water quality and/or poisoning.

[reefer@zoom]

I'm pretty sure that red inflamation by the tail area is due to stress.I have that very same tang and they are A real pain in the butt at times.What are the sizes of these fish,and maybe try moving the rock around it will hopefully cause the fish to choose new territory and may help them adjust.I would think those fish are compatiable.