How to feed Puffers

[Happy_Puffer]

I have a F8 and I would like to feed him some seafood. I'm not really sure how to do this, as I have been feeding him freeze dried food. I went to the seafood counter and had a look around everything looked good but I dont know if feeding them "human" food is ok. If I did feed him shrimp should I cook it first or any sea food for that matter? Plase give me some advise on feeding him some new foods. I have never given him frozen food either should I do that instead?

[Nick]

Mussels are good, as are shrimp, clams, cockles. Human food is fine, just freeze if for a bit first since it's wild harvested, unless it's of a grade intended for raw human consumption.

[Happy_Puffer]

So I don't have to cook any of the human food? I don't want to give my puffer something that isn't good for him. He eats the freeze dried stuff and I give him freeze dried krill, but I can't get enough snails to keep him happy. He eats them before they hit the bottom and I don't want his teeth to over grow.

[SpockthePuffer]

nope, you don't have to cook it. Just freeze it and then defrost it in tank water. I also put some vitamins in the defrosting water.

I feed mussel, clams and shrimp. I usually keep it in the fridge in the cup of water for a few days since my fish can't finish a whole mussel or shrimp in one eating.

[Happy_Puffer]

Do you leave the clams and mussels in the shell or take it out? Is the shell bad for them? Sorry so many questions but I'm new to feeding them this kind of food. I feed my last GSP live brine shrimp, but it became expensive and Im a college student hee hee, plus my lfs told me not to put a bunch in there at a time and I had to buy a separte tank just for the puffer food.

[Nick]

Brine shrimp aren't great food anyway, lacks vitamins. I smash my thick shelled foods with a hammer or heavy book, so they have to knosh on shell to get to the meat, shell nibbling is good for their beaks.

[Happy_Puffer]

Ok well thank you for all the help. I am still a little nervous feeding him something new that Im not too comfortable with. I just dont want to make him sick or some thing.

[Jase]

have you read through the feeding articles in the library? they sum it up nicely.
library is under the "learn" tab. up top.

[Happy_Puffer]

Yes I have read the articles but I am still just a little unsure. I just wanted to hear what others feed their puffers and how they feed them. I just want to make sure my F8 is getting the right diet. I get really attached to my animals and I always make sure I am taking good care of them.

[Jase]

well that's always good.
you seem to be on the right track.

[Happy_Puffer]

Well thank you for the tips. I'm trying to rearrange the tank so that it is more puffer friendly like more plants and caves any tips?

[Jase]

Well thank you for the tips. I'm trying to rearrange the tank so that it is more puffer friendly like more plants and caves any tips?

put all sorts of things. caves, rocks, tall plants, short plants. just tons of stuff to explore is good.

[Agnate]

If you want the cheap budget route, head to a local hardware store and pick up some PVC piping pieces (assuming you have basic tools like a hacksaw and some good quality silicone, such a GE clear Silicone I for Window and Door). If you get the smaller stuff (say the 2" piping), you can make some neat caves and such for your little puffer. Then head over to a dollar store and pick up some plastic plants, silicone them and some rocks to the PVC, and there you have it, some fancy caves covered in rocks and decorate with plants!

[Happy_Puffer]

Well thank you so much for the tips, you guys are so helpful I'm glad I found this site it has helped me so much! I have been trying to find some little pots that I like to give them some places to hide. My boyfriend is very artsy and he likes to redo our tanks a lot and we just got this tank a little over a month ago and we wanted to do something a little different. I like bright and colorful and he like natural so we have decided to try a mix of both hee hee.

[taureandragon76]

make sure to also feed your puffer snails and snails that are no bigger than their eyes