How long can you starve a congo puffer?

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pufferian
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How long can you starve a congo puffer?

Post by pufferian »

I am trying to get my congo puffer to take red wiggler worms...
I have starved her for 7 days now.. she still resist... :(
She is really hungry cause she's begging for food everyday.. but she just won't take the worm..
Should I just give up? How many more days should I try? Will I starve her to death?
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bertie 83
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Re: How long can you starve a congo puffer?

Post by bertie 83 »

I would try soaking the worms in garlic first, if that fails feed it's favourite foods until it gets excited and pop a bit of worm in inbetween as it might accidentally munch it lol. Have you tried putting part of a worm right infront of it's face with tongs?
It's amazing how easy maintenance is. If done regularly and thoroughly
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Re: How long can you starve a congo puffer?

Post by Donna_G »

When I purchased my Congo puffer I'd already stocked up on earthworms to feed him while I battled to get him to eat frozen dead food, he wouldnt eat them!!! The worms were practically crawling into his mouth and still he didn't want to know lol, this went on for nearly 2 wks so then I managed to find some frozen prawns that weren't cooked and straight away he ate it. I did try worms again when he'd settled into a good eating pattern but they ended up in my compost bin. I have come to the conclusion he just doesn't like worms :shock:
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Re: How long can you starve a congo puffer?

Post by PolishPuff »

I did not have a good experience with my congo. First he didn't eat anything and I tried and tried, still nothing. I had too try live food which he loved, but thanks to that idea he got sick. I had too give him away :(

So now he lives happy with PufferPunk :D
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suvattii2012
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Re: How long can you starve a congo puffer?

Post by suvattii2012 »

They should eat earthworms or big lobworms as many as he can stomach, will eat crabs, shrimp aswell. Mine won't eat them if there tiny worms like bloodworm you want bigger.
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Terrance
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Re: How long can you starve a congo puffer?

Post by Terrance »

If your congo is buried, then put the live worm right on his face. Leave for ~10mins and check to see if the worm is eaten or dead. Take out the worm if its dead. Also take out the worm if there are still pieces of it left :p
Kind regards,
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eieio
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Re: How long can you starve a congo puffer?

Post by eieio »

"olivia" (my congo) will not touch them! :shock:
never has, probably never will
she'd probably starve first
be sure to remove any uneaten food before it disappears & decays beneath the surface, as earthworms will "burrow" in..........
"I plan ahead. That way, I don't have to do anything right now!"
pufferian
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Re: How long can you starve a congo puffer?

Post by pufferian »

Thanks for all the replies!
I gave up! I guess she just doesn't like worms!
I tried wiggling the worm right in front of her face for at least 10 mins..
I tried hanging the worm and it just annoyed her so much that she would bit the worm off the hook but not eating it..
I also tried soaking it in garlic.. no luck!
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Terrance
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Re: How long can you starve a congo puffer?

Post by Terrance »

Try leaving the worm in front of your congo and hiding somewhere in the room (or totally leaving the room). When I left a red wriggler worm in the tank, the worm didn't bury into the sand. The worm keeps struggling and eventually died (from drowing?).
Kind regards,
Terrance
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Re: How long can you starve a congo puffer?

Post by Pufferpunk »

Start offering her something else.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

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Re: How long can you starve a congo puffer?

Post by FADE2BLACK_1973 »

I guess I was very lucky with my Congo puffer because He will eat just about anything live. Earthworms mainly, small crayfish, and even rollie pollies. But From what alot of the other owners say about their's, they can be very fussy eaters. Ever tried stick feeding it? And gutloaded ghost shrimp is a great live food also. So not many Congo puffers with eat anything other then live feeders but no goldfish though.
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