The Puffer Forum

the LFS had earthworms but they were all dead so I just got blackworms. They were alive and wiggling when i dropped them in and the GSP saw them but still didn't take the bait. She's as colorful and white stomached as ever, just no interest in food...at least she isn't trying to bite at it. She does still do that "stretching" motion with her mouth and sometimes her whole body jerks around as if she's trying to unhinge that dang jaw which doesn't seem to let her eat. Any suggestions, I'm almost out of any ideas except keep on trying...are there any additives I could put in the water that people have had success with?? Remember the tank is saltwater....

You can try Iodine, if it is lockjaw.

How much iodine and is it going to screw up my water chemistry in the saltwater tank....I just have 2 other fish in the tank (hardy damsels). I'll try anything right now, just tell me how

Iodine won't screw up your water chemistry. I'd follow the directions on the bottle re dosing. It's iodine deficiency that commonly causes lock-jaw, and if it turns out that that is not what's wrong with your puffer, the iodine won't hurt any.

I guess I didn't realize this was a common fish store item....so I just go look in the area with Melafix and that sort of stuff and they should have iodine solution or something??

I'm not sure where in your lfs it would be. Most likely in the SW additives section. It's used by many to aid in molting of some inverts.

my GSP still hasn't eaten. She's finally getting so she looks really, really skinny now. Looks like nothing's going to work. Thanks for all the help. I'll have to remember to vary the diet of my next puffer more to hopefully prevent this again. The worst part of me going to lose her is that she's like more than a year old and still looks great.

Don't give up yet! Several folks have watched their puffers go for many weeks with no food and recover just fine. If he doesn't start eating soon, you may want to consider force feeding a meal or two.

Yes, force feeding may be needed here. See this thread : http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/vie ... php?t=1796

I don't want to give up, just didn't realize that force feeding may stimulate the appetite. I didn't want to force feed it if it was just going to delay the inevitable. You think getting food in its stomach will somehow make it want to eat again?? I think I'll post some pics so you guys can see what it looks like right now (if I can figure it out). What do you suggest I mash up to feed it?

Yes, there is a chance that force feeding ill stimulate the puffer's appetite. Any of the normal puffer foods (minus shells of course), chopped/mashed/pulverized to a paste consistency would be fine. Use a syringe to gently push the food into the puff's mouth.

In addition to vitamen suppliments.

I know you're supposed to hold the fish while you force-feed it. Any ideas on if I should use a net or is there something else I should use to gently grab it while I feed it dinner...

I've never had to do it myself so I cannot offer first-hand advice. Hopefully someone with direct experience will jump in with advice though.

A net is good.