What should I be feeding my Puffer?
- Thread starter rainstorm
- Start date
Feed him once a day or every other. They will eat krill, bloodworms, shrimp (with shell), snails, cockles, lobster (with shell), mussels, pretty much any seafood. Make sure he gets crunchy food to keep his teeth from growing too long.
Kim
If he's in a 30gal. he will need at least 90gal. Don't wait to move him. It will stunt his growth. He will get around 18-20" There is no "he's not too big yet." If you can't do that, please take him back. That's a painful way to die.
Kim
Kim
If he's in a 30gal. he will need at least 90gal. Don't wait to move him. It will stunt his growth. He will get around 18-20" There is no "he's not too big yet." If you can't do that, please take him back. That's a painful way to die.
Kim
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Bigger tanks already planned for. I did things kind-of backwards, but he will be going to a bigger tank in about 2-3 months. Thanks though. 2-3 months should be OK right? And for feeding him shrimp and such, the kind from the grocery store? Cooked/raw? That's probably a dumb question, but I want to be sure. Any other "Puffer" advice would be helpful. Thanks.
I have seen them up to 30 inches in the wild. This fish will outgrow your system. You might try gut loaded live ghost shrimp or tiny live crabs if you can find them, small crayfish, raw blue crab legs; do not remove the shells, the shells are needed for proper wear on the teeth. Also try marine snails, no bigger than the puffer's eye. Some have written that snails are actually essential to the health of puffers.
The thing with puffers; they have a BIG problem with diet in marine systems; it's usually the same thing, they stop feeding... which makes me think they are very misunderstood in the hobby and perhaps most aquarists should not even attempt to keep them long term. A VARIED diet including crunchables is essential. More research on the diet is in order here; try fresh clams or mussels in the shell; open them a little then freeze for at least a week. Then thaw one and drop it in shell and all. These messy feedings demand the most efficient skimmer. Many aquarists find that a few months of this creates soaring nitrate/DOC issues.
IMO, puffers often harbor internal parasites, which are resisted for a while, but then "catch up" with the puffer after a while, particularly if there are other stress factors at work like water quality, limited diet, etc. There are also reports of a "lock jaw" condition due to possible thyroid problems, some references to iodine treatments. IMO, these fish do not belong in the average aquarium.
The thing with puffers; they have a BIG problem with diet in marine systems; it's usually the same thing, they stop feeding... which makes me think they are very misunderstood in the hobby and perhaps most aquarists should not even attempt to keep them long term. A VARIED diet including crunchables is essential. More research on the diet is in order here; try fresh clams or mussels in the shell; open them a little then freeze for at least a week. Then thaw one and drop it in shell and all. These messy feedings demand the most efficient skimmer. Many aquarists find that a few months of this creates soaring nitrate/DOC issues.
IMO, puffers often harbor internal parasites, which are resisted for a while, but then "catch up" with the puffer after a while, particularly if there are other stress factors at work like water quality, limited diet, etc. There are also reports of a "lock jaw" condition due to possible thyroid problems, some references to iodine treatments. IMO, these fish do not belong in the average aquarium.
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reefrash
bartender another round of skimmate
IME when puffers stop feeding, it's because they have not been given enough food and they go into wasting mode. Once the body starts in on the liver it's over. Make sure as FlaBoy says to feed a varied diet, not just freeze dried krill, but even raw supermarket shrimp with the shell on is good, they do like crunchy things (quoting LittlePuff). While diving I have noticed in the wild puffers seem to buzz around everywhere, and are very active, I believe they need a lot of room to move as well to stay healthy. Good luck. :dance2: