Porcupine Puffer

rift-n-reef

rift-n-reef

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Oct 11, 2000
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I recently set up my 125g back up marine. I set it up using 80lbs of live sand, and 75lbs of live rock. The tank was allowed to cycle, and is in good shape. I purchased my first two fish for it the other day, a dragon gobie, and a porcupine puffer. I'm having problems getting the puffer to eat, and I'm affraid that with no other fish in the tank showing him how to eat flake,he may not begin to eat any time soon. Any suggestions on how to get him eating?? Hes about 5" long, and in great shape. I have the option to take him back to the store, but hes one of the best ones I've seen to date so I'd rather keep it. Also, food suggestions would be appreciated. TIA.

"J"
 
Porky puffers will not eat any kind of flake. They will also rarely eat freeze dried. They must be fed live or frozen. Stay away from live feeders except ghost shrimp. Try Ghost Shrimp and Live Brine. Then try some frozen shrimp, scallops, etc. Did he eat in the store? The best place to get food is at your local grocery store. I would also pick up a pack of Frozen Formula One by Ocean Nutrition for better nutrition for both the puffer and the goby. Hope this helps.
 
Thanks for the info thus far. Per the pet store(guys I know well), he ate the day I picked him up, but refused while I was there to eat again. I'm going to the store tomorrow and pick up some shrimp and such. Now for the next problem, how to get him to eat it?? Should I stick it in front of his nose on a feeding prong, or just let it float around in the tank in hopes that he finds it?? I'm not sure how keen their sense of smell is, and how hardy their appitiet is. I've seen gold spots, and dog face puffers give some triggers a run for their money, but I've never paid much attention to the feeding habbits of porcupine puffers. Thanks again.

"J"
 
hey,
don't worry about a thing.....
it will be eating very soon.......off or your rock!
those plate like teeth in its mouth....perfect for crunching on rock and eating the organisms which inhabit it.....
 
I'm sure he will. I don't mind because there is nothing on the rock of any real importance. Just a bit of coraline, and some apistatia(sp?). At any rate, I got a great deal (I mean to say free!!) on the rock, so I added it only for biological purposes. My future plans for the tank also include a trigger, so any critters on the rock are history any way...:) Any way, back to my origional though....how to feed the puffer?? He don't seem to be super skittish, however, a 125g is a pretty good size tank for a 5" fish to try to search out food. Should he be agressive enough that if I stick some shrimp in front of his face on a feeding prong, that he will tear it up? Also, would he prefer a whole peice to chunk out of, or smaller peices to take whole?? Thanks again.

"J"
 
you should be all set then.....

had a spiny box puffer once...more box shaped rather than rounded. Was a good eater, but took almost a week to get it to eat. I Put a damsel in to get it into the motions of eating...monkey see, monkey do

wasn't a big fan of flake though...took a lot of time and patient, but finally got him to eat silver sides and crill out of my hand.

one of my favorite fishes...sad to have to get rid of him. He was eating expensive corals. My buddy has him downstairs in his tank now, so it wasn't a totall loss.....
probably still doesn't help much, but thats my experiance.....

good luck:D
 
In order to try to get him start to feed, I would just try different ways of feeding: just put in the tank, stick on a feeding prong, etc. Try different food items and sizes. When he starts feeding, it won't matter how you feed him neither the size of the (shrimp) you feed him. They'll eat like crazy. :D Good luck and keep us posted.
 
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