The Puffer Forum

I have just got a new pocupine (3 days) and cannot get him to eat!! I am becoming very worried and was wondering if somebody could help?

I have tried frozen shrimp, flake food and even muscle on a stick to look like live food. Any other suggestions from people that have had a similar problem?

I don't have one, but I've always heard they can't resist a live earth worm...
What did he eat at the store?

Not too sure, they had only got him in that day - where would I find earthworms?? lol plus he's not very large, you think they would be too big?... any other ideas?....

well a fish store might have them, but they are more likely to be at a "fishing" store.
you could also try live food. crabs and shrimp are a good place to start.

Give it a few days to settle in..

Was your tank set up and cycled before bringing home the porc? There's no ammonia readings are there?

It was a cycled tank - Have other fish that are happily feeding!

a lot of puffs usually need a few days to settle in. offer food daily but until he goes a week without food its probably premature to worry. check out the feeding article in the library and try soaking his food in garlic (forget what the product is called that's usually recommended around here). puffs cant resist garlic for whatever reason.

There actually is an article on getting your puffer to eat, in our Library.

Earthworms work great.

Thanks for all your responses, think im going to try and find some earthworms!!

be sure to check the article in our library too.
like they also said, he might not be settled in yet, so don't worry just yet...

Just because the other fish are "fine" doesn't mean your water quality is 100% ok - please test to make sure, and a water change never hurt anything!