trying new foods

[side19]

so i decided to try a few new foods with my puffs stating tomorrow morning. i went the the local market and picked up some live mussels, clams, and an oyster. so i pried the clam open and removed the meat and save the shell (put the meat in a cup back into the fridge)and am now just wondering how i should go about serving my puffs their new food. i know i should put it back on the shell so they'll scrape their teeth against the shell getting the food, but is there anything special i should do to the shell or the meat before putting it into the tank to feed them tomorrow morning? also should i just let the meat sit in the shell or should i actually use a rubber band or something to hold it onto the shell? i'm assuming what ever i do to the clam i should also do to the other food i picked up too right? thanks for the help.

[Dadof4]

Fresh foods really should be flash frozen or placed in the freezer for a while to kill parasites and bacterias. What I do is scrape off the meat, cut in to serving size pieces and place between two sheets of wax paper. Then when I need it I just cut the a section from the wax paper and thaw. I freeze the shell also and will throw that in the tank after a while and let them pick off the remaining meat.

[side19]

how long should i have had the food in teh freezer for to ensure any parasite died off? i had it in the freezer a good 24 hours before i opened the clam and the others are still in the feezer. should i rinse the food off before i put it in the tank, and do you think a half a little neck clam would be a good portion size or do you think it should be less? again should i attach the rood to the shell or just lay it in the shell? sorry for so many questions.

[Dadof4]

I typically leave them frozen for a week but most people will suggest at least 30 days. Definitely rinse them before you put them in the tank. To thaw, I use a little tank water in a bowl and slowly bring them up to room temp. I then rinse, to get off excess protein that can cause problems in the tank, and then soak in a vitamin solution. As for size, you will have to experiment for a little while to see what is enough for your group of puffs. This first feeding I wouldn't worry about attaching meat to the shell, just toss the shell in the tank when you feed them. They should bite on the shell just to see if there is food there. Next time you open one, scrape all but a small amount of meat off the shell. When you feed the shell they will discover the meat and attack the shell pretty good.