Feeding a SAP

boogey · Post by **boogey** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:34 pm

What kind of snails are best for feeding South American Puffers? I currently have only one of these puffers, keeps swimming up and down tank. I have added more plants to that side of the tank and she still is following herself. Is she lonely? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks

Raphael · Post by **Raphael** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:38 pm

The best and easiest snail to breed for puffers are ramshorn snails. How big is the tank? Maybe you could fit more if you think she is lonely although I doubt she is lonely.

yellow · Post by **yellow** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:45 pm

isn't the swimming up and down a sign of boredom?

Raphael · Post by **Raphael** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:47 pm

Yes it is, you might want to re-arrange the tank or add hiding spots for her.

boogey · Post by **boogey** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:13 pm

Thanks for the help with the snails. Do happen to know if they prefer a certain type of plant or thing to hide in?

Raphael · Post by **Raphael** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:17 pm

I would recommend building rock caves for them to hide in. BTW are your plants fake or live. You may want to try java fern.

boogey · Post by **boogey** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:23 pm

Mostly all live, although last night we added some fake ones in her side for the time being. there is alot of java moss and some other different types. The tank is also a 55g with 10 barbs,1 otto and a pleco. There so far has been no problem with the barbs. We are planning however to set up a 30 gallon tank for her, just keeping her in that tank till its ready. Any suggestions on a good set up.

Thank you again for your help in this matter.

Raphael · Post by **Raphael** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:28 pm

If you do set up a 30 gallon for your SAP then you could add another one if you want to.

lisalisa · Post by **lisalisa** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 10:14 am

Raphael wrote:The best and easiest snail to breed for puffers are ramshorn snails. How big is the tank? Maybe you could fit more if you think she is lonely although I doubt she is lonely.

Common pond snails are just as good, and breed at a small size.

Post by **Myaj** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:53 pm

I actually prefer pond snails, as they are a more appropriate size. Ramshorns always seem to grow too big, too fast. But my SAP is quite small/stunted, poor guy.

About the only thing that gets my SAP to really get moving around and not "pacing" is to release 10 or so shrimp into the tank. He'll spend the rest of the day hunting them down, the red cherries are fast little buggars and he has to work hard to get them all.

coryc · Post by **coryc** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:25 am

Namor · Post by **Namor** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 9:42 pm

I have a 29 gallon with 2 SAPs, 3 DPs, 4 Otos, 1 Tiger barb, 1 Phantom Tetra, and 1 Rasobarb. I didn't think the Tiger barb, Phantom tetra, and Rasobarb would survive much past the cycling but there still kickin' several months later and have become good tankmates. I keep several ghost shrimp in the tank at all times for the puffs to hunt and a number of snails from the breeding tank also. They also devour live black worms that are fed once daily and dried bloodworms also once daily. My SAPs will also swim along the glass alot despite a ton of plants, rocks, driftwood, and other decorations and hiding places. This seems to be the norm for them. They will spend some time exploring and hunting though, but not as much as the DPs. Hope this helps.

Post by **RTR** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:47 am

That tank is pretty overstocked to me.

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