feeding dwarf puffer

penna32 · Post by **penna32** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:43 pm

maybe ill try it .. i know my mom would have a fit but she doesnt have to know .. what if i used a little 1 gallon bucket ? could i just put a couple snails in there ?
also do i need the cuttlebone?

penna32 · Post by **penna32** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:57 pm

if bloodworms arent nutritionally complete, as if heard, what else should i feed my puffer?

Boxermom · Post by **Boxermom** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:03 pm

I feed mine bloodworms, black worms and snails. My bettas only eat bloodworms and appear to be fine. You can defrost them in vitamin water as well. There's a great food article in our library, complete with photos, of various foods that are good for puffers. DPs are a little tricky as they are so tiny, but many will eat a variety if its chopped up small enough.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:51 am

I always buy Hikari or Ocean Nutrition brand frozen bloodworms as they are vitamin enriched/fortified. San Francisco bay brand is not, and always contains much more "junk" than Hikari, which is what I usually get.

penna32 · Post by **penna32** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 7:10 am

once i run outta the pcak i have (i bought the little gum drop ones)
ill make sure to get ones that are better for him, but the snails are what im gunna work on once i go to the LFS to pick up my new lighting system ill see if i have enough money for a couple snails .. is it normal for this lil guy to eat like 5 bloodworms?

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 2:44 pm

That is probably overfeeding, unless the worms are very tiny. They usually only need about 2, maybe 3. If there belly is more than slightly rounded, they're overfed, which is not good for them.

penna32 · Post by **penna32** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 3:05 pm

ok ill start to feed him 1-2 .. his belly wasnt really round at all .. how long can they go without feeding? i havent fed ine since wednesday night, and the next time i will be able to feed him is sunday afternoon (my parnets are divorced and im goin over my dads this weekend .. would he be fine ?

Boxermom · Post by **Boxermom** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 6:41 pm

Healthy fish can go a week easily between meals, usually even longer.

penna32 · Post by **penna32** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:31 pm

well im pretty sure hes healthy .. ive only had him for liek 5 days, he ate a lot wednesday night .. and he actually grew a little bit since thursday night .. his tail was more golden and a little bit longer .. the little guy is sso cutee i just stair at the tank and watch him swim arounddd

Boxermom · Post by **Boxermom** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:38 pm

After only 5 days, I wouldn't say he's necessarily healthy. Unfortunately many puffers are infested with IPs, which ends up killing them if it isn't caught early enough and treated. Look for his stomach to get a little concave or sunken in, and look for poop that is white and/or stringy. Those are bad signs.

penna32 · Post by **penna32** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 9:56 am

well his stomach is concave or sunkin in, and his poop is blackk

Boxermom · Post by **Boxermom** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 9:57 am

I would treat for IPs, just in case.

penna32 · Post by **penna32** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:49 am

ill pick up some stuff for IPs my next visit ..
any recommendations?
i have sometthing but its not specifically for it, it treats a lot of diseases meant for preventing diseases

Boxermom · Post by **Boxermom** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:52 am

I use GelTek and I've heard PraziPro works as well, Jungle Tabs have been less successful with people from what they've said. Whatever you get, you need to soak their food in it, not just treat the water. They have to ingest the medicine. Treat for a minimum of a week. Some treat for a week, have a couple days break, then treat for another week just to be sure.

penna32 · Post by **penna32** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 12:05 pm

okay when i get around to the LFS ill be sure to pick some up,

when you say soak the food in it .. if i use a little cup of aquarium water to thaw out the bloodworms, how much should i use in that cup ?

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feeding dwarf puffer