Dwarf Puffer

[Abernathy]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I recently purchased a dwarf puffer and it simply won't eat. I've tried frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and tiny live snails. The most I've seen the little guy eat is a couple of bites of snail and that's it. Any suggestions? The water quality is optimal with lots of plants and cover. Thanks for any help!

 

[Pufferpack]

Hi Abernathy

I would suggest checking with the lfs to find out what they were feeding the little fellow. All my Dwarfs will eat lately is the frozen bloodworms. If the lfs was feeding live food you may have to buy a little bit and mix it with the frozen bloodworms until your puffer recognise the frozen stuff it as food. Keep feeding the small pond snails (babies not the larger ones).
One question about the frozen bloodworms. Did you thaw them first or did they go in as a lump? When I feed mine I put a frozen chunk of bloodworm in a shot glass, fill the glass with conditioned (or tank) water and let thaw for 5 mins. That way when I dump them in they float freely through the current and the Dwarfs attack them with gusto

 

[Abernathy]

Thanks for the reply! Yes, I thaw all the frozen food before putting it in the tank. I've even tried using a little squirter to get it as close to my puffer as I can and to simulate "live" food. When I first bought the little tyke, I asked the lfs what they were using and they said frozen bloodworms. Hmm...I'm quite at a loss. I've rechecked my pH, temp, and other h20 conditions, and they're fine. I'd hate to lose the guy, so maybe I'll take him back to the lfs.

 

[Phreaxer]

I hope you find out what he will eat soon. I had the same problem with my little guy (George) last week and after about 6 days of not eating, he left the fish world and moved on...

I hope you find out what he likes or will eat really soon!!! Sorry I couldnt be of more help... Can you get some live brine shrimp? I got some, and my other fish loved them, I wasnt able to get them to work in time to help George (he was in a tank at work)...

 

[smb]

Abernathy, I'm sorry to hear that. I am going to be getting some dwarf puffers soon, I hope, but can't help you here, but wanted to say please keep us updated on how it goes. I would really like to learn how to handle a situation like this.

 

[Abernathy]

Oh, happy day! I finally found a lfs that sells live brine shrimp. Using my little squirter, I literally deluged my puffer, who after peering at me for a long minute, consented to eat. Now, I can name the little dude, since he'll be with me for a while. Thanks all for your help and concern!

 

[smb]

Great news!!!!

I'm so glad for you. I know how it feels to not know what to do no matter the situation. I've been there a million times.

Thank you for the update and letting us know how you solved it.

 

[PrObLeM_ChIlD]

I had the same problem with my puffer that i bought 2 days ago and i started with the brine shrimp today (after making them myself with a kit at the pet store!) and they loved it! i'm so happy!

 

[CraZ4fiSHieS]

another thing i found dwarf puffers love (if your not queezy) is to gut a wax worm and feed it to them:

using tweezers and spoon/knife/whatever, hold down head and pull off body. then pinch tail with tweezers and use spoon to push insides out of the worm. then pick up guts with tweezers and feed it to your puffer!!!! its a disgusting practice but my puffers loved it and for a long time it was all i could get them to eat! (My bettas love it too) good luck!!!!

 

[Pufferpack]

I'm so happy to hear that the little fella is eating . I would suggest adding a couple of frozen bloodworms with the shrimp at each feeding and the puffer will eventually recognise it as food. The brineshrimp are great to keep him eating, but as a regular food source they don't have a lot of nutritional value (mostly water from what I've read) so he will need to be conditioned to other foods as well, keep up with the snails as they are nutritious as well as being necessary for maintainence of teeth.