New dwarf puffers not eating...

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jcb
Puffer Fry
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Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:45 am
Location (country): United States

New dwarf puffers not eating...

Post by jcb »

Hi...

I recently purchased 4 dwarf puffers and have them in a 10 gallon quarantine tank. It is an established tank, heavily planted. They appear to be 3 females and 1 male. I've had them 2 days now, and haven't seen them eat anything. I've offered frozen/thawed bloodworms, free dried bloodworms, freeze dried Daphnia and even some snails. They show great interest in food, but don't actually eat it. I have 2 others in a 30 gallon tank that they will eventually join. These 2 are pigs and have been since day one. They are otherwise active and interested in what's going on around them.

Water parameters: temp 78F, pH 7.0, ammonia/nitrite/nitrate 0. CaribSea sand substrate.
Low water flow.

Any suggestions on getting these little buggers to eat?!

Thanks in advance-

Jo
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bertie 83
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Re: New dwarf puffers not eating...

Post by bertie 83 »

It's not uncommon for puffers to refuse food to start with, they may be eating it when you are not looking? How do their tummys look?
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
jcb
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Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:45 am
Location (country): United States

Re: New dwarf puffers not eating...

Post by jcb »

Bellies are about the same as when they arrived. Tonight they are pacing up and down the glass at their reflections. I feed only 1-2 bloodworms per DP at a time and can pretty much count that they are still there in the morning. It's possible they are getting little bites of the snails, but they've actually shown no interest in them while I've been around (vs my other two who are obsessed with them!). Might look for some live food tomorrow to see if that catches their fancy.

Thanks for the quick reply.

Jo
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bertie 83
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Posts: 5298
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 4:28 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: lineatus R.I.P, South American puffer. Valentini puffer, porcupine puffer.
Non puffer
Danios, Tetras, Redtail Rasporas,
Harlequins, CAE's, Yoyo
Loaches, Clown loaches ,Eels, various shrimp, tangs,wrasses, damsels, chromis
Location (country): Brighton, England
Location: brighton , england

Re: New dwarf puffers not eating...

Post by bertie 83 »

Try adding some fresh garlic (crushed) with the food as it thaws. It's irresistible to puffers
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
jcb
Puffer Fry
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:45 am
Location (country): United States

Re: New dwarf puffers not eating...

Post by jcb »

Thanks, will do. I have some Garlic Guard in the mean time. Two of them snatched up a couple of thawed frozen bloodworms soaked in it. I have some blackworms on order from www.aquaticfoods.com heading their way. If it's not moving, they lose interest pretty quickly. Picky little buggers!!

Jo
jcb
Puffer Fry
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:45 am
Location (country): United States

Re: New dwarf puffers not eating...

Post by jcb »

Well, let's just say that live food brings out a whole other side to them! I found some blackworms at a LFS while waiting for my online order. They went puffer psycho on them :) Hoping to maintain a blackworm mini farm to keep their bellies full.

-jo
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Pufferpunk
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Re: New dwarf puffers not eating...

Post by Pufferpunk »

Those prices are insane! I used to get 1lb for <20 at my LFS but now it's ~$23. I'm afraid when I move to SC soon, I may have to do it your way. :(
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
User avatar
Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32764
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: New dwarf puffers not eating...

Post by Pufferpunk »

Found this supplier, too: http://organicblackworms.com/
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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