Valentini Puffer

[smlarson72]

I have a Valentini Puffer, Val, and love her to death already. My LFS said they were feeding her brine shrimp and mysis, which I am doing as well. I also got her to eat a little piece of shrimp (with shell) from my hand. I notice that she likes to hit my snails and that she needs “crunch” for her teeth. She hasn’t knocked any off the rocks or glass yet. My question is - should I get some smaller ones that she can eat? What about frozen clams? Picture is of her sleeping.

 

[Spare time]

I like to give them a frozen clam to chew on (I don't thaw it). that or a frozen chunk of mysis/brine that they can crunch on before it fully melts.

 

[smlarson72]

I like to give them a frozen clam to chew on (I don't thaw it). that or a frozen chunk of mysis/brine that they can crunch on before it fully melts.

I will try that and she how she does.

 

[mort]

It's a good idea to add crunchy food to their diet to keep the teeth in good health. I feed some krill, mysis and any meaty food really but add in some clams in a half shell a couple of times a week and it'll thank you for it. I also see mine take flake that gets stuck to the rocks which I guess rasps the teeth down nicely.

 

[Eva Rose]

Frozen clams on half shell
Repurpose empty clam shells by putting a bit of Masstick in the shell.
You can even take a very small chunk of live rock & press a blob of Masstick on it.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/masstick-fish-food-easy-reefs.html

 

[smlarson72]

It's a good idea to add crunchy food to their diet to keep the teeth in good health. I feed some krill, mysis and any meaty food really but add in some clams in a half shell a couple of times a week and it'll thank you for it. I also see mine take flake that gets stuck to the rocks which I guess rasps the teeth down nicely.

Thank you! I gave her a clam on the half shell last night and she liked it. She also got 3 of the margarita snails. Lol

 

[smlarson72]

Frozen clams on half shell
Repurpose empty clam shells by putting a bit of Masstick in the shell.
You can even take a very small chunk of live rock & press a blob of Masstick on it.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/masstick-fish-food-easy-reefs.html

Thank you! I picked some up yesterday and gave her one. She liked it. She also got 3 of the margarita snails when they were on the glass.

 

[Johniejumbo]

I like to throw in some dwarf Cerith snails for mine to pick at. They are pretty cheap and it takes a while for he/she to find em all. Loves the things. Luckily it pretty much leaves the bigger ones alone after they have been in the tank a while.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Keep in mind that clams collect a ton of crud when they close up. I do not pop them but do defrost and use a syringe to rinse the insides out.

 

[smlarson72]

I like to throw in some dwarf Cerith snails for mine to pick at. They are pretty cheap and it takes a while for he/she to find em all. Loves the things. Luckily it pretty much leaves the bigger ones alone after they have been in the tank a while.

I’ve noticed she leaves the bigger snails alone. She can’t get them off the rocks or glass. I will look into the Cerith snails as well.

 

[Johniejumbo]

Anyone able to keep cleaner shrimp with theirs? I love the things but feel it would end up a snack if I tried.

 

[smlarson72]

Keep in mind that clams collect a ton of crud when they close up. I do not pop them but do defrost and use a syringe to rinse the insides out.

Got it! Thank you!!

 

[smlarson72]

Anyone able to keep cleaner shrimp with theirs? I love the things but feel it would end up a snack if I tried.

I haven’t ventured out that far yet. Lol

 

[BeltedCoyote]

My valentini PJ (puffy James lol) lives with a ton of hermits and hasn’t bothered them at all since I first introduced him. But then I keep him well occupied with clams on the half shell, frozen Mysis, and reef frenzy.

love my little valentini

 

[smlarson72]

My valentini PJ (puffy James lol) lives with a ton of hermits and hasn’t bothered them at all since I first introduced him. But then I keep him well occupied with clams on the half shell, frozen Mysis, and reef frenzy.

love my little valentini

I love mine too!

 

[Spare time]

Frozen clams on half shell
Repurpose empty clam shells by putting a bit of Masstick in the shell.
You can even take a very small chunk of live rock & press a blob of Masstick on it.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/masstick-fish-food-easy-reefs.html

Ps your profile picture is hilarious

 

[Spencedogg]

Anyone able to keep cleaner shrimp with theirs? I love the things but feel it would end up a snack if I tried.

I keep a cleaner shrimp with my valentini (toby) and it has never looked at it twice and has always left it alone. The little hermits on the other hand he nips at but has never ate one that I have noticed.

 

[Johniejumbo]

I’ve decided I don’t really care what mine eats so long as it’s happy. What a fun fish

I keep a cleaner shrimp with my valentini (toby) and it has never looked at it twice and has always left it alone. The little hermits on the other hand he nips at but has never ate one that I have noticed.

good to hear! I may look for a bigger one or 2 to stick in the tank and see how it goes

 

[smlarson72]

I’ve decided I don’t really care what mine eats so long as it’s happy. What a fun fish

good to hear! I may look for a bigger one or 2 to stick in the tank and see how it goes

I agree! I love my Val!!