The Puffer Forum

I would like to try feeding my congo puffer clams. Is there any thing I have to do to the clams before I feed them to my congo? Do I split them open, smash them, or anything like that?

Thanks

I believe you just crack 'em open and drop it in in the shell and then take out what they don't eat.

You need to freeze the clams first to kill parasites. I freeze mine for about 3-4 weeks then when you are ready to feed, thaw them. The shell will open on its own and then you can scrape the meat out. Wit my arrowhead I need to actually dangle it outside the cave on a piece of string (he won't eat if I use tongs) and give it some motion.

Shutting mouth now. Zip!

Do I still have to freeze them that long if they are from the chinese market? Thanks

I would. Fresh clams can harbor parasites that may not effect humans but can affect fish.

Can you just buy ordinary clams from the grocery store, or do they have to be special clams??

Mrs.Puff wrote:Can you just buy ordinary clams from the grocery store, or do they have to be special clams??

I buy ordinary clams, put em in plastic baggies, smash the crap out of them with a hammer and freeze them.

makes them managable pieces, AND makes the meat stick to the shell very very well so the puff has to work to get it off

I feed my puffs clams, too, bought from the fresh seafood counter at my local grocery store, and agree with all the above comments...however I only freeze mine for a week. Littleneck clams I freeze whole in a big Tupperware container, then take one out and let it thaw in the fridge before turning it over to whichever puffer is getting it. Bigger cherrystone clams I bash open with a hammer once I get them home, scrape out the body, and put it into a little flat dish and set it in the freezer. After a week of being frozen, I just take the body out and slice off an appropriate amount, let it thaw, then give it to my puffers. I always leave a little of the muscle on the shell, so they can scrape it off and thus keep their teeth worn down.

You can do the same with oysters (these are my puffers' favorite), black mussels (they'll eat them but they're not their favorite), and most any other mollusk you can get your hands on. Just remember to make the fish counter guy give you live ones, ones that are closed tightly. Also understand that you are taking a risk - one that Dadof4 can tell you all about. Sometimes, even after freezing, these food items can contain toxins that come from various types of algae or other organisms, which if introduced into the tank, can have disastrous consequences. In any case, when choosing food for your puffers (or any other fish or animal you keep), the key to happy, healthy critters is VARIETY. Good luck!