I realize that I should not have a small puffer in w/my SA cichlids. Even worse, 2 small puffers in w/my SA cichlids, but darn it, if that's what it takes to keep my girlfriend excited for our fish, then bring on the puffers! With that said... we've had these 2 puffs for about 2 months. Today I found one of the puff's stuck to the filter, I nudged him off, and he went about his business but did not eat. In fact, the past 2 days he has not been eating. So today, I put him in a separate bowl (no quarantine tank) and fed him some bloodworms, which he normally loves. This time he put 'em in his mouth and spit them out, did the same thing w/ the brine shrimp I tried feeding him (yes, I spoil them a little). What should I do? His sides are beginning to look a little thin... and here's the answer (?)... his fins are a little beaten up. The cichlids/puffs basically stay away from each other, but the 2 puffs hang out together on the top. Is there anyway to remedy his eating stopage, keep his fins from getting munched on, all while keeping 2 puffs and my g-friend happy? As always... much appreciation.
Puffer help
- Thread starter nattybrack
- Start date
Okay, according to Pufferfish.co.uk you are correct in keeping them in FW, but they are big-time fin-nippers, and like harder water than S/A Cichlids.
They are probably best kept solitary, as they are notorious fin-nippers, and, in a smaller tank, they may just turn on each other. I would guess that the one is more dominant, and this one might not be getting the food he needs, but, since he is not eating even when alone, that makes it tough to give you a definitive answer. I would suggest gradually raising the pH and GH of your water and seeing what this guy does. Best of luck,
Matthew
They are probably best kept solitary, as they are notorious fin-nippers, and, in a smaller tank, they may just turn on each other. I would guess that the one is more dominant, and this one might not be getting the food he needs, but, since he is not eating even when alone, that makes it tough to give you a definitive answer. I would suggest gradually raising the pH and GH of your water and seeing what this guy does. Best of luck,
Matthew
Appreciate the advise, gonna try putting him in a quarantine tank (seting one up tonight) and then upping the GH / PH. I hope this works, although I have a feeling it's the dominant / sub thang. Thanks for the advise.