Feed me! Feed me! Feed me!

[AydenLincoln]

Do all puffers exhibit this begging behavior?

Yes from what I have heard/seen! They are incredibly intelligent and the equivalent of a water puppy dog. Even more so like a saltwater labrador lol.

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

I mean I only do it on occasion. I would say it’s like a treat obviously they shouldn’t be eating them all the time because like earthworms they aren’t eating them in the wild. I completely understand that. The other option is to buy frozen food strictly from the fish store. Pro Salt IQF has some fantastic foods for predatory fish so does Tropical Marine Centre if you can get it at your LFS through Quality Marine. You could also ask your local seafood counter if they can get in whole shrimp head on or things like raw cockles. Oh and smelts are silversides just the name used when you see it packaged for food consumption. I hope that helps. I’d also say with the puffer since they are usually considered brackish and can live in freshwater although tend to do best in sw that Iive or frozen bloodworms would be great.

don't they eat squid too? I found raw frozen calamari. ingredients just list salt and calamari.

 

[AydenLincoln]

don't they eat squid too? I found raw frozen calamari. ingredients just list salt and calamari.

Yes they do! I feed squid as well.

 

[rhitee93]

... that Iive or frozen bloodworms would be great.

That makes sense. I feed frozen bloodworms to the tank as part of the food rotation and my puffer absolutely goes crazy for them.

I do feed Silversides to the eel as part of its food rotation, but stick to the Salt Water Bay brand per Lion King's recommendation on thiaminase levels. The puffer like to steal a few bits of this, but is so small yet that it doesn't get to the guts.

I'd like to get whole uncooked mussels, but I never see those around here for some reason.

 

[AydenLincoln]

That makes sense. I feed frozen bloodworms to the tank as part of the food rotation and my puffer absolutely goes crazy for them.

I do feed Silversides to the eel as part of its food rotation, but stick to the Salt Water Bay brand per Lion King's recommendation on thiaminase levels. The puffer like to steal a few bits of this, but is so small yet that it doesn't get to the guts.

I'd like to get whole uncooked mussels, but I never see those around here for some reason.

Yeah most in grocery stores are cooked unless you buy them fresh which you could do and freeze them/open them before freezing.

 

[Devaji]

remind me what happened to the tank he was in?

 

[rhitee93]

This is my little goofball a couple of months ago. To answer another poster, "He" is quite interactive. Usually comes up to the glass when I am by the tank. It is still very small. Not quite 2" long yet. It was not much more than a fry when I bought it last fall.

 

[AydenLincoln]

remind me what happened to the tank he was in?

He is getting an upgrade to a 120!

 

[Devaji]

He is getting an upgrade to a 120!

nice! they do grow quite qick right.

 

[Fish Fan]

Yes from what I have heard/seen! They are incredibly intelligent and the equivalent of a water puppy dog. Even more so like a saltwater labrador lol.

I've never been fortunate enough to have my own puffer, but "underwater dog" is a great description for these animals!

 

[AydenLincoln]

nice! they do grow quite qick right.

Yes!

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

has he eaten any corals or haven't you tried? I'm wondering if I can drop anything in with mine. BTA, Zoa, Duncan etc...?

 

[AydenLincoln]

has he eaten any corals or haven't you tried? I'm wondering if I can drop anything in with mine. BTA, Zoa, Duncan etc...?

Bad idea! Ne he lives in a fowlr tank. IMO they are never reef-safe. Some people may have luck but as they grow older and bigger they have a huge impact on water quality and because they are curious little buddies…Hewbie tries to eat/nibble anything lol including my fingers lol. Do you have a porcupine or another type? Post photos!

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

Bad idea! Ne he lives in a fowlr tank. IMO they are never reef-safe. Some people may have luck but as they grow older and bigger they have a huge impact on water quality and because they are curious little buddies…Hewbie tries to eat/nibble anything lol including my fingers lol. Do you have a porcupine or another type? Post photos!

Never looks good under blue. But he does seem dark. Never holds still for me so a bit blurry. Better photos are without light

 

[Fish Fan]

Never looks good under blue. But he does seem dark. Never holds still for me so a bit blurry. Better photos are without light

Yep, just like a shy dog, can't get a good pic of him lol!

 

[AydenLincoln]

Introducing the video version!

 

[AydenLincoln]

Never looks good under blue. But he does seem dark. Never holds still for me so a bit blurry. Better photos are without light

What’s his name? Tell him Hewbie and me say hi!

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

What’s his name? Tell him Hewbie and me say hi!

We just call him Puff. He has a snow flake for a friend. Went in after the octopus died. Does enjoy feeding time. Leaves the snails hermits and shrimp alone.

 

[RockRash]

This is my little goofball a couple of months ago. To answer another poster, "He" is quite interactive. Usually comes up to the glass when I am by the tank. It is still very small. Not quite 2" long yet. It was not much more than a fry when I bought it last fall.

What type of puffer is that? Any issues with corals or is he in a FOWLR tank?

 

[RockRash]

@AydenLincoln did the new tank arrive?