The Puffer Forum

My F8 has not eaten in almost 2 1/2 weeks. I fear that he will not last much longer. I have tried live foods(ghost shrimp, black worms, brine shrimp) as well as his staple foods and his favorite(shell on shrimp), and nothing seems to be working. He ate some ghost shrimp and blackworms right after getting here, but nothing since. I have tried soaking food in garlic. I can tell he is hungry, but he just won't eat. All of the other puffers are doing fine. All of the water parameters are the same as before the cross-country move, except there are not any excess nutrients in the water here like there was in Texas. All of the algae and diatoms I had have dissapeared from my tanks. I had forgotten what color my tank decorations were. I have tested the water both at home and at my new LFS. Nitrate 10ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, Ammonia 0ppm, PH 8.2. I wonder if the changes in water nutrients may be causing a problem for him?? All of the others are doing fine and I thought it may have initially been stress, but he seems comfortable in his tank and hasn't been acting shy or withdrawn. Should I consider force-feeding him at this point? If so, what is the best way to do this? Robert, anyone? Please give me some advice, he was my first puff and I don't want to lose him.

How are his teeth?

If his teeth are OK, I would try force feeding. Get a plastic syringe and fill it with some mashed up food. Catch your little guy, insert the syringe, and push a small amount into his belly. Make sure this is all done under water, and only a small amount as to not over fill him. It might be wise to add a vitamin to the food mash too.

Didn't think to check his teeth, but they are fine. Should I give him a small amount of clove oil to relax him, or would it be unnecessary or unsafe due to him being weak from not eating? Where do I get a plastic syringe that will fit his small mouth? He is only about 2 1/2 inches long.

I wouldn't suggest clove oil. Feed him under water if you can.

You should be able to find syringes of various sizes in hobby shops. Good luck and best wishes for your little friend.

Thanks for the help. I will let you know how it goes today.

I guess he just needed a jumpstart. Everything went well and now he is eating again. Thanks for the help

You fed him with a syringe and he is eating now? I feel a sense of hope for my fish then. Shall attempt to do so later.

Yes, and good luck, Creampuff. I believe it was more stressful on me than him, lol.

I'm glad to hear of your sucess!!

onebadpuffer wrote:Yes, and good luck, Creampuff. I believe it was more stressful on me than him, lol.

Yes I totally agree that sometimes I feel it's more stressful on the owner. Lol. Maybe our fish are in total ignorance that we're so stressed over them.

I am relatively new at this and was wonder how I can tell if my puffer's teeth are too long.

Thanks

Read the Puffer Dentistry article stickied in this forum.