The Puffer Forum

does anybody feed their puffers live fish. i know its taboo but i'd like a show of hands or at least a good reeason not too. my celyon puffer is in a tank with other hunters so im considering it.


all feedback welcome

Not only should you not be feeding the Ceylon live fish, you shouldn't be feeding your hunters live fish. The live fish they would eat in the wild are nothing like filthy, raised together in disease ridden tubs feeder fish. Also, feeder goldfish, the most common feeder available, aren't nutritionally complete by any stretch. For fish that eat fish in the wild, frozen silversides or livebreeders you raise yourself in a known clean tank are your best shot, and those are only really necessary if your fish will not take pellets; if they will they should only be occasional snacks. Also, realize that should your puffer develop a taste for fins and fish, the size of the "hunter" fish in with him will not stop his beak, it's meant for crushing snails and shellfish, and will easily cut the flesh of larger fish.

very wise words. the puffer seems fine on frozen foods, same with my knife fish and Parachromis loisellei. im very aware that the puffer is a nipper as i watched him take a bite out of one of my pacu. is there no benefit in the chase of live foods?? just seems sad haning it to them on a plate every day

You do realize Ceylons will need brackish-marine conditions right?
Also feeding fish is not a good idea since the puffer will then start to attack other fish in the tank with it that you wouldn't want it to attack.

The chase is good exercise, but exercise easily replicated by making them chase the tongs with the frozen foods outside or inside the tank. Breeding your own livebearers in a small tank is the best option for giving them treats on weekends or whatever occasions you decide are special.

I breed live cherry red shrimp that my puffer gets to chase and hunt for.

Just so you know, a celyon puffer is not compatible with the knife fish or the Parachromis loisellei. The celyon will require brackish to full marine conditions as it grows.