New Congo Puffer

[Terrance]

Hi everyone,

I just got a new congo. Its less than 2 inches. I put him in my 20 gal long aquarium QT and it will turn into his permanent home after a few weeks. Just wondering how to start feeding him and making him feel comfortable. Pics to come when my friend gives me back my camera this upcoming weekend. I think its sort of a brown/red color.

[Pufferpunk]

Congrats! What color?

Try dangling earthworms off a thread. Then work your way to dead foods. Good article on feeding difficult puffs in the Library.

[Terrance]

does it produce a lot of waste inside sand? zoo sand ok for congos? http://www.zoosand.com/

[Pufferpunk]

I wouldn't use aragonite sand for a FW fish that doesn't require hard, alkaline water. I also wouldn't use any kind of fine sand, as it will get into your filter.

[Terrance]

Ok I think the zoo sand isn't fine sand, so I'll go with some of their red colored sand. Its not aragonite, but I better double check with them.

[eieio]

pictures of the fish?

[Terrance]

I'm still trying to get my camera back.

I noticed over the one week period, I have him change from a dark brown/reddish color to an orange color. He is now orange most of the time!

[Terrance]

I got my camera back. It was hard getting a good pic right now since he is moving around when I get near the tank.

here is a shot when he was still at the LFS



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He turned back to orange for a few days, and then he turned really dark brown/red. I really really want to add substrate. Its very tempting.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Terrance]

I am noticing a bite mark on my miurus.

At the time of purchase, there were 2 miurus in the same tank. I think the other miurus took a bite at miurus. I didn't notice it since the tank was in a very high spot where I couldn't get a top view. Its not like a piece of its flesh was ripped off, but there is indeed a circular ring formation on its back that looks like a slight indentation.

What should I do about this bite mark?

[eieio]

I got my camera back. It was hard getting a good pic right now since he is moving around when I get near the tank.

here is a shot when he was still at the LFS



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

He turned back to orange for a few days, and then he turned really dark brown/red. I really really want to add substrate. Its very tempting.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

looks a bit lost & lonely amongst all that glass, silicone seal, and water

[eieio]

I am noticing a bite mark on my miurus.

At the time of purchase, there were 2 miurus in the same tank. I think the other miurus took a bite at miurus. I didn't notice it since the tank was in a very high spot where I couldn't get a top view. Its not like a piece of its flesh was ripped off, but there is indeed a circular ring formation on its back that looks like a slight indentation.

What should I do about this bite mark?

if it's a scar, there's not much you can do about it
if it's a fresh wound, treat it with Melafix, add an air stone, and be sure to remove any carbon from the filtration system, (if any)

[eieio]

Hi everyone,

I just got a new congo. Its less than 2 inches. I put him in my 20 gal long aquarium QT and it will turn into his permanent home after a few weeks. Just wondering how to start feeding him and making him feel comfortable.

QT or whatever, please don't leave him in a bare tank any longer
that in itself, will make him feel more comfortable, and likely to accept food that he may not be accustomed to as yet
if i may put myself in his little fins:
please consider what this little fish has been through already, what with being caught and shipped half way around the planet, then through who knows how many jobbers, transporters, and stores, only to be bitten by a tankmate adding to the stress..............

[Terrance]

I put a few castles in there. Its not bare. All the decor is in the middle of the tank, but he mostly sits in the corners. I think the wound is closed off but will keep an eye on him.

[eieio]

I put a few castles in there. Its not bare. All the decor is in the middle of the tank, but he mostly sits in the corners. I think the wound is closed off but will keep an eye on him.

i surmise he is sitting in the corners because he feels insecure
he needs something to relate to, something close to the environment that he was ripped out of
he doesn't need castles as much as he needs some sand or fine gravel to burrow in, and some kind of cover to feel secure with
has he been eating?

[Terrance]

Its hard to feed him worms. I put one in his tank for the past 2 nights, but he didn't take it. He took some nibbles, but never really bite into it. I threw in 2 guppy so far, and he eats them.

Now he just sits behind the castle. When the guppy is there, he stayed motionless. With nothing in the tank, he would swim around when I come around,