Just got my first DPs!!

[It'sJames]

I just brought home my first dwarf puffers yesterday!! I was totally excited to finally find a store that had them in stock. I read on this forum that Petsmart generally carries them, so I called them up and they said they had plenty. I bought 2 for my 5.5 gal, and so far they're getting along great. They're still pretty young though, only about a 1/2 inch... maybe a little less.

Last night I tried to feed them frozen bloodworms, and although they seemed interested, they wouldn't eat them. Should I try something else, or just give them awhile and try the bloodworms again? I'll pick up some snails next time I'm at my lfs. I've heard they're picky eaters, which is new for me. My platys and bettas will eat just about anything!

Why do they "change color" so often? One moment they'll have dark spots over a lemon yellow color, and then they'll fade out in a matter of seconds it seems. They're behavior doesn't seem to change...

I'll put some pics up as soon as my computer lets me.

[crazedpuffer]

Was your tank cycled?
If they are interested in the food they should eat it, just give them time. I wouldn't worry. Their color is mostly based on mood, nothing to worry about unless it's very dull most the time, which means somethings wrong.

[yunachin]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new puffs!

[It'sJames]

Ok, I'll try the bloodworms again tonight. I read in the pufferpedia that DPs sometime eat ghost shrimp... Has anyone had luck with that? They seem too small to be able to eat ghost shrimp...
Yes, it was cycled and I'm using a filter that's been on my 28g for several months.

[Mareva]

Congrats on the new puffs!
When I got my DPs they were not interested in the food I offered for 5 days. Just keep offering it. I always have to offer it quite a few times before they try new food. I wouldn't worry too much for now!

[It'sJames]

Here's some pics of the little ones! I tried the bloodworms again, and they seemed more interested, but they still didn't eat them. They pecked at them, but spit them right back out. I'll just keep trying...

Is it okay to feed them brine shrimp?

[hadla]

wow, nice pics! i like the one on the left, hes cute.

[CtHM]

If I'm right, the one on the left is a girl, and the one on the right is a boy? I could be wrong, just what it looks like to me =]

[It'sJames]

Ya, I wasn't sure which they were. I thought I might be able to tell once they were a little older maybe... For now I'll just go with what you said, CtHM.

[crazedpuffer]

Brine shrimp should only be fed as an occasional treat. It is the equivalent of eating potato chips, does nothing for you at all. But eating brine is better than nothing, but try to get them on bloodworms.
Cute puffs.

[Mareva]

aaah! Cute little ones!
How big are they? It's hard to tell males from females when they are less than an inch. Their spots can change. My males are just starting to get their dark line on the belly (the bigger one is 1 inche right now). I was able to tell them from the female a little before because they grew wrinkles first. Check for wrinkles (bright line) behind the eye. There's a good sexing article in the library. IME, the eye wrinkles came first, then the yellow belly and dark line developped at the same time.

Keep trying the bloodworms, they'll get the hang of it! Mine are now also eating little bits of mussels and scallops! But I always have to offer it about 10 times before they eat it!!

[It'sJames]

They're only about 1/2 inch right now. I'm not sure if they're male or female, but I'll definatly check out that article. :)

I'm hatching brine shrimp tomorrow, so hopefully they'll eat that until they'll take the bloodworms.