A question from a newbie puffer owner.

[Huffle&Puffle]

Hello there I have recently purchased(3 weeks) two south american puffers for my 4 foot community tank, they are just under an inch long at the mo.
I feed them bloodworm daily and am aware of their need for shellfish to keep their beaks trim. Will they hunt down the snails I already have in the tank that came in on plants or will I have to feed them crab,mussel etc? They are brilliant quirky little fellas and I have experienced no problems with the other fish so far. Also how do you photograph the little buggers!
Cheers

[ryverrat]

Mine won't eat mussels. Can you get pond snails- small ones are best. Just ask for the snails from the plants at your LFS- mine gives me bunches. Most are small pond snails- you want ones about the size of the puffer's eye for them to eat. Or buy some plants- most have snails on them. If you have another small tank you can breed the snails to feed the puffers- really easy. You will still need to trim the puffer's beak eventually (SAP beaks grow very fast- I trim mine). Other foods my SAPs (have 5) enjoy are bloodworms, brine shrimp, and very small red worms (they call them trout worms where I'm at- just get one under 1.25 in - 2.5cm- don't pick your own unless you know that no chemicals are applied where you pick them)

[Huffle&Puffle]

Thanks for the reply, I've got a population of pond snails in the tank at the mo. Will pop down my lfs tomorrow and ask for more.

[Agnate]

I suggest that you breed instead of get them from the LFS. Snails can potentially bring disease into your tank, especially when coming from a fish store (where new fish bring new diseases on a regular basis). I would get some from your existing tank and set up a little 5 - 10 gallon tank with plants, and let the snails grow.