How much to feed 7 inch Fahaka?

[2poc]

Hi,

I recently purchased a fahaka puffer & have been feeding him on frozen Lancefish (as that's what he was eating in the store)
I'm going to get him onto Mussels next but he wasn't interested in the de-shelled frozen variety from the LFS when I tried them.

Anyhow, this guy is feeding well which is great, but I'm a little unsure how much he should be eating.

I've been feeding him two lancefish every other day.
He would eat more if I fed more and he would eat every day if I was to feed every day.

So, how much is too much? Do you think he's getting enough? He looks to be in great health & I want to keep him that way.

P.s. If I get him onto mussels - again how many & how often (roughly) would be suitable for a fish of that size?

Thanks in advance,
Patrick.

[yunachin]

I feed mine 6-12 average size crayfish weekly/bi-weekly. If I go bi-weekly then he gets a large shrimp or two to close the gap. Depending on the size of the mussels you can do 1-2 daily or every other day or a larger group once a week. I have found that they will not stop eating so you have to put a limit on their intake or they will gorge themselves to blimp size.

[apachepufferman]

i agree with Yunachin; they will eat themselves to death. I feed mine a variety of things; clams, muscles, shrimp bloodworms and live crayfish. I found that when I mix up the food his colors are better.
It's usually feed one thing a day though. A small clam or 50-60 count shrimp or a good sized chunk of bloodworms or one crayfish. That keeps him from bugging his tank mates and I also through in about 10-15 MTS snails once a week so that he can go hunting in the sand.

[2poc]

Great stuff - thanks!

[2poc]

i agree with Yunachin; they will eat themselves to death. I feed mine a variety of things; clams, muscles, shrimp bloodworms and live crayfish. I found that when I mix up the food his colors are better.
It's usually feed one thing a day though. A small clam or 50-60 count shrimp or a good sized chunk of bloodworms or one crayfish. That keeps him from bugging his tank mates and I also through in about 10-15 MTS snails once a week so that he can go hunting in the sand.

Tank mates? Are you one of the few people that doesn't have a muderous Fahaka?

I have mine in a tank alongside several other tanks holding various cichlid fry & he is itching to get at them

[dmond31]

I tried to out tank mates with my Fahaka when I first got him 6-7 months ago. boy was he a killer he stayed in his corner and as soon as a fish swim by he attacked.

[Pufferpunk]

I have mine in a tank alongside several other tanks holding various cichlid fry & he is itching to get at them

I hope you have a secure cover on there--he might just try a bit too hard & land where you don't want him!

[2poc]

Hmm. The tank has a hood but that is a good point..
With a good jump he could probably flip open the hatch.

I need to secure it to prevent any young curious fingers from getting chomped on too…

[apachepufferman]

i agree with Yunachin; they will eat themselves to death. I feed mine a variety of things; clams, muscles, shrimp bloodworms and live crayfish. I found that when I mix up the food his colors are better.
It's usually feed one thing a day though. A small clam or 50-60 count shrimp or a good sized chunk of bloodworms or one crayfish. That keeps him from bugging his tank mates and I also through in about 10-15 MTS snails once a week so that he can go hunting in the sand.

Tank mates? Are you one of the few people that doesn't have a muderous Fahaka?

I have mine in a tank alongside several other tanks holding various cichlid fry & he is itching to get at them

yes I have a Non murderous fahaka.... I think because of the feeding regiment. If he just ate he is not out looking for food so I feed him a regulated amount every day. Also as I stated I put the snails in there for him to go hunting in the sand. I am waiting on my marbled crayfish to start having some babies so that he can eat those. I imaging that is what he would eat in the wild. He goes a little crazy when I put them in there every once and a while.