Golden Pufferfish

[ecotack]

After my golden puffer assaulted the Oscars I bough at the same time, just a week ago were shop said they would be OK together, I now have a lonely puffer in a 3' tank (Oscars in a new 4').

Firstly, and probably most important, what should I feed him? I have dropped two tadpole snails in the tank, but he shows no interest. Floating and sinking pellets go unnoticed. I have added an auto shrimp hatchery to the tank. Will he like freshly hatched brine shrimp?

I think it was hunger that caused him to assault the Oscars.

Any advice on keeping this guy welcome. Also where to get him some tank mates from.

 

[ecotack]

One more quick question, do these hurt if they bite you? When I cleaned the mess the Plec left behind he had his eye on my fingers.

 

[Rocker]

It is always better to do your research before you actually aquire a new fish and as you have found out puffers generally are not compatible with any other fish. Keep him alone or return him to the shop.

 

[Fella]

I'll go against the grain here and say that you can keep some puffers with some tankmates. But the golden puffer isn't one of them.

Golden puffer is the common name for auroglobius. sp, and they aren't fin nippers, in the wild, they're fin and scale eaters. You won't be able to quell it's natural instincts no matter how much you feed it, so rule out any tankmates, as it will unfair for both fish.

However, on their own they make great pets. Dedicate a tank to him, and he can become a rewarding pet.

 

[treelo]

feed it bloodworm, either frozen or live

i would try frozen first as that way you can get it started feeding on them and it will cost a lot less

 

[ecotack]

I searched all the local pet shops for some live food, but no luck. Tried frozen, but he ignored it. I did however buy some mealworms. I dropped a meal worm in the tank and before I replaced the lid of the box it had gone. The goldfish like them too.

Unfortunately he has puffed himself up and is hiding behind the heater. Please tell me it was OK feeding him a mealworm!

Its weird, you can actually see the water swishing about in his body.

There is some uneaten food in the tank, which I will remove tomorrow if its still there, but is there any cleaner I can put in the tank with him? I don't think shrimp would be a good idea, but what about red claw crabs or a blue lobster?

 

[treelo]

if the fish has puffed up, it is in serious state of distress

can you give us all your tank details including water readings and god forbid tankmates

 

[ecotack]

He should have been in a 4' tank with 2 Oscars and a common plec, but after nipping the Oscars he is still in a 3' tank with internal filter, heater and a bunch of plants that came this morning. Unfortunately it was only meant to be a temporary tank, so no backing, gravel or ornaments.

I did a single bucket water change yesterday and he was happy to chase the siphon hose. I'm sure it was just after eating the mealworm he puffed up. Goldfish had one each and they appear OK.

I can turf the goldfish out of the other 3' tank, give it a quick clean and add a heater, if its the empty tank that's upsetting him.

This is the best picture I could get:

I don't have any water test kits, because I have never needed them and don't really know what to buy. If you can suggest a good test kit (possibly off eBay or mail order) I'd be grateful. 3' tank had been running for a week with used filter, all 4 fish where in it a week before puffer started nipping.

Plec and Oscars have settled in to the 4' tank:

 

[Fella]

mealworms are quite fatty if I remember, and not a natural part of a golden puffers diet. Frozen bloodworm, pond snails, prawns should all be irresistible.

He isn't puffed up, he's just overfed. The amount you've fed him is too much, and you'll do well to feed a lot less. Feed small amounts often. Feeding large amounts like that may either constipate him or suffocate him.

Feeder fish are a big no-no as well. Read the thread on feeder fish in here for all the reasons why not to.

 

[ecotack]

Thanks, he is back to normal this morning. I'll stick to the frozen. My brine shrimp hatched over night, so he can have some of them soon.

Is there anything that can be kept with him? What about a blue lobster or fiddler crab?

 

[Rocker]

It is always better to do your research before you actually aquire a new fish and as you have found out puffers generally are not compatible with any other fish. Keep him alone or return him to the shop.

 

[andywg]

I'll stick my neck out here and suggest if you really want to try another fish (and as you have spare tanks to remove tank mates too if necessary) that the thorny catfish might be an idea. Particularly Platydoras costatus or the striped raphael. These fish get to a fair size and are fully armour plated. I have a nasty rainbow shark and some quite aggressive bumblebee catfish in a tank, but none bother the doradids.

I would not keep any crustaceans with a puffer as any that are too large to be food are almost certainly able to catch and kill the puffer.