dwarf puffers- help!

[millie]

ive never had a pet all my life until the five dwarf puffers- i got them yesterday. im not sure if im doing everything right for them-- i fed them topfin, tropical flakes and they didnt eat those food. im really worried. what food should i feed them?

they're actually quiet. they're not the same from what i saw at the pet store. they were actually very aggrassive. they swam everywhere. they looked adorable. but now, i dont know... i think they're dying or something... help..

what should i do to make them alive and be happy?

helpp... yes, im serious. help. your help will be quite appreciated.

thanks
millie

 

[Alien Anna]

I've got a horrible feeling your tank isn't cycled, and dwarf puffers tend to do badly in an un-cycled tank.

Please follow the link in my sig and read up about cycling a tank. If it turns out your tank is not cycled you might need to take them back to the Local Fish Shop temporarily while you do a fishless cycle on your tank because they're not likely to survive it.

I just hope I'm wrong, but if I'm not keep us we'll try to help you make the best of a bad job. Good luck!

 

[juliethegr8t]

i fed them topfin, tropical flakes and they didnt eat those food. im really worried. what food should i feed them?

Dwarf puffers will very rarely eat flake food - they need preferrably live foods, but some will take frozen. I had two for a short time and they took frozen bloodworms. However, if you can get them live food that's really the best.

Listen to Alien Anna and follow up on the link she gave you - it's very helpful for newbies and I'm afraid she's probably right. The best thing for you to do may be to take back the puffers and then get them another time - after your tank is cycled. Good luck.

 

[PrObLeM_ChIlD]

and snails.. they need snails too

 

[Pufferpack]

Here is a helpful link to general puffer info Puffer FAQ

I would have to agree with the rest, if your tanks has not been cycled yet ask the pet store to hold them for you until your tank is ready. If they are not able to do this for you I would recomend a product like"Cycle" or "Biospira" although not a substitute for a properly cycled tank it may help add beneficial bactiera to the tank and reduce some of the stress on your puffers
As juliethegr8t mentionedit is the rare puffer that will eat flaked or dried foods, if you can find live blackworms they would probably love that (just be sure to clean them well as the water they live in is filthy), but froen bloodworm and frozen brine or mysis shrimp should work as well.


If you need any more help please feel free to PM or E-mail me any time, or post in "Oddball" section I check that quite regularly.