Help! Porcupine Puffer won't eat!
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shandy_say
- Puffer Fry
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Help! Porcupine Puffer won't eat!
Hi Im new here and I was wondering if anyone can suggest feeding techniques for my porcupine puffer. I have had him for about a week now and yet he has not eaten. I tried live feeder fish (silversides) and frozen shrimp yet he just ignores them I don't know what to do! Please help me!
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Pufferpunk
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Re: Help! Porcupine Puffer won't eat!
![[welcome]](./images/smilies/welcome.gif "welcome")
Start by reading the feeding articles in our Library.
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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"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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Nick
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Re: Help! Porcupine Puffer won't eat!
My solution for stubborn porcs at the shop has always been either 1) Nightcrawlers or earthworms, and 2) Small live crayfish.
These foods seem to stimulate natural eating reflexes.
Feeder fish of any sort from a pet store are inadvisable, your puffer will eventually get parasites or diseases from them.
These foods seem to stimulate natural eating reflexes.
Feeder fish of any sort from a pet store are inadvisable, your puffer will eventually get parasites or diseases from them.
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shandy_say
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Re: Help! Porcupine Puffer won't eat!
I have also tried worms but it doesnt seem to catch his attention. Should I force feed him? or just dangle the food inside tank?
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Pufferpunk
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Re: Help! Porcupine Puffer won't eat!
There is an entire article on how to feed a puffer dead foods. Did you read it? It should be quite helpful.
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!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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cuteyiddlepuff
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Re: Help! Porcupine Puffer won't eat!
I agree with Nick, feeders may be a danger to your Puffer. I just saw several Puffers with Ich because the store was feeding them feeder fish.
PUFFER RULES
Do not take your Puffer out of water (you can kill them)
Change water at least 1x a week
Change water immediately if there is high Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate
Monitor water levels (PH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, SG,etc.)
Give your Puffer snails to wear down his/her teeth
Soak dry food with tank water/vitamin water
When buying a Puffer look for one with a fat belly
Do not take your Puffer out of water (you can kill them)
Change water at least 1x a week
Change water immediately if there is high Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate
Monitor water levels (PH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, SG,etc.)
Give your Puffer snails to wear down his/her teeth
Soak dry food with tank water/vitamin water
When buying a Puffer look for one with a fat belly
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shandy_say
- Puffer Fry
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Re: Help! Porcupine Puffer won't eat!
Thanks for the advice! I won't feed them live feeder fish anymore. 
My porcupine puffer ignores them anyway and they just end up dying in the tank and messing up the water. I have yet to try feeding him live clams or crabs.
Its just that its been a week since I got him and I haven't seen him eat anything and Im worried that he will starve to death. Based on my research, porcupines should have a strong appetite however mine has no appetite at all. I am not sure if he is stressed about being in a new tank which makes me more worried. He is also alone in the tank and no other fish to fight with.
My porcupine puffer ignores them anyway and they just end up dying in the tank and messing up the water. I have yet to try feeding him live clams or crabs.
Its just that its been a week since I got him and I haven't seen him eat anything and Im worried that he will starve to death. Based on my research, porcupines should have a strong appetite however mine has no appetite at all. I am not sure if he is stressed about being in a new tank which makes me more worried. He is also alone in the tank and no other fish to fight with.
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Pufferpunk
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suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
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Re: Help! Porcupine Puffer won't eat!
How long has the tank been set up? What filtration is on there & any live rock? Could you please post the parameters, tank size & puffer's size. This will help us to determine if there is something awry in his tank, or if he just needs a different diet/time to adjust.
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!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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crazedpuffer
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Re: Help! Porcupine Puffer won't eat!
Have you tried peas? Those are my porcs favorites, along with bloodworms and live shrimp.
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t1gerbee
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Re: Help! Porcupine Puffer won't eat!
live river shrimp ... never failed for me... no matter the fish... 
1 x 90G Juv stars and stripes puffer, Ceylon Puffer + GSP + 2 black clowns
1 x 30G LPS Reef
1 x 30G 1 x Blind goldfish
1 x 30G LPS Reef
1 x 30G 1 x Blind goldfish
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dab335
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Re: Help! Porcupine Puffer won't eat!
def live crayfish... mine loves 'em
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shandy_say
- Puffer Fry
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Re: Help! Porcupine Puffer won't eat!
Finally I got him to eat frozen shrimps! Thanks for all the advice! He likes to eat them whole and just ignores them when I cut the shrimp into bite size pieces!
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t1gerbee
- Fahaka Puffer
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Re: Help! Porcupine Puffer won't eat!
great, good to hear.
1 x 90G Juv stars and stripes puffer, Ceylon Puffer + GSP + 2 black clowns
1 x 30G LPS Reef
1 x 30G 1 x Blind goldfish
1 x 30G LPS Reef
1 x 30G 1 x Blind goldfish