Overfeeding Puffers
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 7:02 pm
Overfeeding Puffers
Puffers - actually fish in general, especially hunter predators - do not eat constantly in the wild. They have to work for their food, spending much time and energy in the search for edibles. Then they spend time lazing and digesting, then restart the search. There are no or very few feedback loops on fish appetites - they will continue eating even while excreting largely to completely undigested food. Lacking the ribs and bony framework most fish have, there is even less restriction on the amount of food ingested than there is for other fish. Daily or more frequent feeding of predators in captivity is perhaps the major cause of tank pollution and liver and kidney problems (all shortening life) in captive fish. Other than feeding completely unsuitable foods, it is very hard to starve a fish, but it all too easy to kill them with kindness. Young puffers especially will eat until they are unable to swim, look almost puffed up, and are rolled around by the current - very bad practice. Just as with people, "a lean horse for a long race" does apply. Your fish will be healthier and live out their full span if they are not overfed.
~RTR
Puffers - actually fish in general, especially hunter predators - do not eat constantly in the wild. They have to work for their food, spending much time and energy in the search for edibles. Then they spend time lazing and digesting, then restart the search. There are no or very few feedback loops on fish appetites - they will continue eating even while excreting largely to completely undigested food. Lacking the ribs and bony framework most fish have, there is even less restriction on the amount of food ingested than there is for other fish. Daily or more frequent feeding of predators in captivity is perhaps the major cause of tank pollution and liver and kidney problems (all shortening life) in captive fish. Other than feeding completely unsuitable foods, it is very hard to starve a fish, but it all too easy to kill them with kindness. Young puffers especially will eat until they are unable to swim, look almost puffed up, and are rolled around by the current - very bad practice. Just as with people, "a lean horse for a long race" does apply. Your fish will be healthier and live out their full span if they are not overfed.
~RTR
I just got the Mandarins yesterday and the puffer is completely ignoring them infact my puffer is the only fish in my tank that ever gets chased. My Sleeper banded goby seems quite territorial, and chases the puffer from time to time.