The Puffer Forum

Hi all ! I have fed my always hungry GSP with snails, crickets, ghost shrimp and wet cat food---all in moderation. I just bought 10 for $1.00 of both of ghost shrimp and small crickets. How long can these crickets last if I put them in a plastic container, with soil and pieces of fruit? Do I have to do that? Are they okay in the store bag, or do they need a nicer set-up? (I don't want to be cruel to these little guys)...Would my Betta like crickets or ghost shrimp? I have the shrimp & the snails in a small tank with a filter... Thanks.

Crickets probably too big for a betta....

You can actually get a cricket basket from a store that sells tackle and supplies like that. Also pet stores sell cricket foods, but you can always put a piece of bread in there and add a few drops of water unto it. I wouldn't recommend cat food anymore for the GSP's though.

A slice of orange works great for crickets. Be sure to read the feeding articles in our Library.

NO MORE CAT FOOD FOR YOUR PUFFER! It's a puffer, not a catfish.

I've always kept crickets with a little chunk of a moist sponge, and a few potato slices. they don't need much a setup... just something breathable, and that keeps them from getting out

Just make sure you feed the crickets whatever you want your puffers to eat (ie. good vegetables or fruits). Often the pet stores will sell a little clear, plastic container for about $6-8 that can easily keep a bunch of crickets. Be warned, though, crickets can start to smell something awful.

^ always gutload your crickets, alone there is not much in the way of nutritional value in crickets

Thank you all from a new Puffer fan! He has his crickets & snails, he liked the dried shrimp. I now have a small tank on the kitchen counter for his snails & ghost shrimp. Plus, the cricket keeper (thanks on the how to),and my sweetheart doesn't even blink an eye. (anymore)! (Although, he does have to unplug the heater for the coffee maker. Now that I have Puff, plus a 90 gallon, a 39 gallon and a 15 gallon...with a 10 on the way !! Sheesh. Fish-a-holic /dog-a-holic/cat-a-holic & horse-a-holic. (I can't figure out how to get a bird in that mix)....hmmmmm. Thanks !

Yes, I've been noticing that getting new aquariums seems to be more of an addiction than a hobby. Me and my roommate seem to have a "fish-off", where we subconsciously compete for who has the newest and biggest tank. He's recently in the lead with a 75 gallon set up beside his computer as though it were a divider wall. Quite a creative idea, if you ask me!