The Puffer Forum

Reaperpilot2014 wrote:Most of mine will eat a snail that has been crushed, so theoretically, you could take most of the shell off of a few snails, and then soak them and try that. If you do end up being able to get him to eat earthworm or another food, that would be easier.

I tried that and he ate a couple bites, I let it soak for 15 minutes. Then I tried blood worms and of course he just chased them and didn't eat them.

I've had two dwarfs that died of IP's because they refused to eat medicated anything . I have 6 left and one is real skinny and won't touch medicated food either...even soaked in garlic. I'm afraid I might end up losing her as well. I hope you find something that works for you. Some of them just seem to be more stubborn than others.

Sometimes you have to force feed them, although it's not a pleasant experience for either party. Actually, the puffer may not be too bad off since they're sedated. Anyway, I've luckily only ever had to do that with my GSP.

Every single puffer needs to be treated for IPs. Every single puffer I have owned has had them. It's better to just treat them soon after you get them.

I don't know If I can force feed him. I may QT him in my only empty tank, my 2.5 gallon. and see If I can get him to eat something...

I would never attempt to force feed a Dp...they are sooooo tiny.

Not sure where you would find a tube that small anyway. It would be easy to cause damage to them.

Yeah IDK what to do, Its stressing me a little bit.

Did the snails not work?

I mean, a few bites is better than nothing, is he rejecting them now?

Agreed. You said he took a few bites, and that's a start. If he's taking those snails, or any other food you've been able to soak, you're doing fine.

He only bit off of that first batch, and now he refuses all medicated snails, but if I put in normal ones in he scarfs them up...

strange your dwarfs dont accept bloodworms. mine LOVED them. i have had lots of different picky fish and none of them have ever not liked bloodworms. with my ghost knife everyone says its a struggle getting them to eat when first moved cause of their stress. i put mine in my tank, he looked scared, i grabbed some bloodworms, hand fed him and he immediately seemed far less stressed and happy. (probably his first good meal of his life)

kind of off topic just saying for me its strange that your puffers dont readily accept bloodworms. you could try a different med and try the half clams, just get small ones. puffers cant say no to those little clams.

Try doubling up with the garlic, and using less medicine for a 5 - 10 min soak.

Only my male DP will not eat bloodworms, my little girl loves the bloodworms, she gorges herself on them, so I gotta be careful when I feed them.

sevenyearnight wrote:Try doubling up with the garlic, and using less medicine for a 5 - 10 min soak.

What food do you suggest I do this with?

Whatever she'll eat really.