Best way to train Dwarf Puffer to eat out of feeding cone

[borgey]

I recently purchased 2 Dwarf Puffers for my 10 gallon tank. I also got some Brine Shrimp and some Blood Worms. To feed the Dwarfs the Blood Worms I got a cone. Today I put a couple worms into the cone but they did not pay attention to the cone at all. I put some Brine Shrimp in the tank and they did eat a couple of them so I know they ate a little today. I just want to know how everyone else got their Dwarfs to get the hang of eating out of a cone. Any input on feeding them in general or out of the cone would be HIGHLY appreciated.

[JRC3]

The best way I have found to train DPs to use a feeder cone is to throw the cone in a drawer and go back to using a pair of 6" tweezers. With tweezers you can make sure each puffer doesn't get too much or too little to eat. I feed each of my puffs about 2-3 bloodworms or 3-4 brine shrimp once or twice daily and it takes no time at all. I usually hand it right to them or I drop it so they can chase it down. I rarely ever have a single piece hit the substrate and this keeps my nitrates under 5 all of the time.

Once I use my feeder cone to diffuse the outlet on an internal filter that I had in a hospital tank...It did a great job.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your little guys.

[RTR]

I have never had any issues with DPs using feeder cones, but I have only used them with live blackworms. I am allergic to bloodworms and never use live or frozen brine shrimp other than live newly hatched baby brine shrimp - the others are the nutritional equivalent of popcorn - Enjoyable but all but worthless.

[LilGreenPuffer]

Were the bloodworms live? They can't really get frozen food out of cones.

[~reefchik~]

+1 to Lilgreenpuffer.

I bought several of these thinking what a great gadget to keep the worms up in the water column and not lost under plants where the fish might not see them (what is it about irrubesco puffers that they don't like to go after food? At least mine doesn't. It has to practically land on his face for him to eat it. The clown loaches totally outcompete him...anyway, I digress).

I realized after wasting my time putting frozen bloodworms in there, that the cones are for holding live worms. I guess they wiggle out one or two at a time and entice the fish to wait there and catch them. So now we both have to find sources of live blackworms I guess!

[borgey]

Yes it was live blood worms. I just don't think they realized it was there or something.

[~reefchik~]

Then just keep on using the cone, they'll figure it out eventually.

[borgey]

Alright I'll keep trying it. I have been noticing some aggression when feeding lately. I think I might get two feeder cones one for each puffer. Would that be a good idea? I feel like they are too crammed up in a 10 gallon. I am tempted to put them in my 20 gallon. But I don't know what I would do with my livebearers,

[~reefchik~]

I just got done reading an article on feeding puffers at wetwebmedia, and yes, your dwarves will be aggressive at feeding time particularly. I'd separate the cones if I were you.