How much do you feed dwarf poofers?

[purplecandle]

I have two new dwarf puffs less than an inch.

I have been putting in a pinch of food (blood worms, mysis, krill).

I have seen them eat, but they seem shy and slow about it so I leave them alone.

When I leave them alone and walk away for a few hours..all the food is gone..sometimes it is like I put 10 worms in..but their bellies do not look like they ate 10 worms. Don't get me wrong..I do not think they have parasites..their bellies do get chubby...I just wonder if they eat a little..wait..then eat a little more..wait...poop...then eat a little more..If they do that surely that cannot be good.

They are just so dang tiny..I do not know what amount they should be eating..

Should I literally only drop one worm in at a time? Should they eat more than once a day?

[LilGreenPuffer]

I give them enough to make their bellies quite round. Twice a day would be good if they're underweight. Blackworms are great for getting them to grow.

It's a good idea to deworm all new fish, even if you don't think they're infected.

[purplecandle]

yeah, i know I should de-worm..it is just that they are babies! I just can't bring myself to do it..I am sure nothing bad would happen (that is logic) but....well..they are babies..I will do it though

[LilGreenPuffer]

Having worms will hurt them much more than a mild medication.

[Mr.U]

hello lilgreenpuffer. seems a good place to ask this. Will dwarf puffs eat themselves to death? or does that go for all puffers?

[purplecandle]

A puff can eat themselves till they explode..I think it is a bit of a rarity..for them to go so overboard but it can happen..

All of my other puffs will eat until miserable if I give them the chance..

The best thing to do is to watch them eat and then take away extra food once their bellies are round..

I am just having problems with these new tiny puffs..they seem so slow to eat and really shy..I just did not know if I was over/under feeding them.

I think they need more decor in the tank ..more plants an such so they will feel comfortable with me watching them eat..

[LilGreenPuffer]

Mine don't eat themselves sick, but others sure will. Many puffers don't have an "off switch."

[Ohyouknow]

My puffer was pretty shy at first, and I couldn't seem to tear myself away from the poor thing's tank. He would hide a lot, but if he was hungry, it didn't stop him from investigating potential foods. After not eating for the first two days, the hunger took over and the hunt was on. The little piggy never looked malnourished - but ate and ate and ate, and never got rounded... just became disinterested in the food. I swept out the remains and no food until the next day. The babes won't starve to death in a couple of days, you could try just watching them a lot so they get used to seeing you peeping... then when they are good and hungry see if they go for some tiny worms.