Help with new Dogface Puffer

[AndrewH]

Well, I'm new here, obviously I've recently bought a Dogface Puffer and he seems healthy and happy, swimming around the tank constantly, he's not very big, maybe 3.5" or so. He's in a 55gal FOWLR tank with a couple of damsels and two clownfish. I just had the water tested a couple of hours ago and everything is in check, no problems at all with water quality.

The thing is, I can't seem to get him to eat anything, he's been in the tank for about 2 days, and like I said seems healthy/happy, always swimming around, sometimes being lazy and laying on the bottom but for the most parts seems good. I've tried feeding him frozen krill (which I've heard 99% of puffers enjoy) and he pecked at it twice, but didn't do any more with it. I also tried feeding him a frozen clam, half shell, again he pecked at it, but didn't seem too interested, though the LFS said he ate that exact thing, and he's also not interested in what I feed the other fish, brine shrimp/flake food. Should I be worried at this point? I've heard they can go weeks without eating, and sometimes they go on hunger strikes. If I shouldn't be worried now, when should I start worrying?

Also, is there anything else that I can try?

I appreciate everyone's help, and hope to become an active member here! I hope this topic is in the correct forum, I didn't see another forum that it should be in.

Thanks a lot,
Andrew


Sorry if this is nothing to worry about, and is normal behavior for Puffers, I just want to make sure he has the best home and care that I can give him!

[Pufferpunk]

Here ya go: library/category/feeding/

[AndrewH]

Here ya go: library/category/feeding/

Pufferpunk,

Thanks, I already read that, was just wondering if it was anything that I needed to worry about now, if not, when I should start to worry if I can't get him to eat with some of the tricks mentioned in the link.

Thanks,
Andrew

EDIT: Also with his size that you can see in the picture, is there a certain type of snail that works the best? How about size?

[Pufferpunk]

Your puffer has been eating live foods all it's young life. Did you see the article about feeding difficult puffers?

[AndrewH]

Your puffer has been eating live foods all it's young life. Did you see the article about feeding difficult puffers?

Pufferpunk,

Ofcourse, I read all 3 articles relating to feeding Puffers, and training them to eat with not-so-alive food, such as using the flow of the tank to make it appear live, or a stick etc. I was merely wanting some confirmation that his attitude is normal for Puffers that are just introduced to a tank, and that it's just going to take a bit of time to get him used to his new feeding habits / diet. And obviously I don't expect him to eat a snail that is as big as his head, which is why I was asking if there was a "type" of snail that Puffers prefer, and how large compared to him I should get them, as I hadn't thought of trying live snails. If I'm still not getting what you're trying to point out, I'd appreciate if you just spell it out for me, as I've read the links, and he may not be a "difficult puffer" after all just new to his environment, and scared / stressed, that's why I was asking if his behavior is normal after acclimation to a new tank.

Thanks,
Andrew

[J-P]

hah yes we new peeps heed to be shown the garden path or are easily lost!

[AndrewH]

hah yes we new peeps heed to be shown the garden path or are easily lost!

Just don't want to miss anything! And there are a lot of people here who are well versed in Puffers I'm sure!

I want to make sure I do it right the first time, since he's such a cute little guy!

[LilGreenPuffer]

It's normal for him to take a while to start eating.

He'll need a much bigger tank soon.

[pufferpuggirl]

My advice would be to try several different foods, there may be one that triggers his interest and/or appetite. And just keep trying. He will get hungry and he will want to eat soon.

[dab335]

Hi, welcome to the forum! My puffers get like that too. There are days they eat lots and lots and days they eat next to nothing. If you wanted to you could always pick up garlic from the Lfs and put a couple of drops on the fishes food and it may stimulate appetite as well! I think Kent puts it out!

[AndrewH]

Thanks for everyone's help and ideas, I put in some snails earlier today to see if he'd eat them. I'm going to go see if I can find some ghost shrimp, and also maybe buy some fresh shrimp from the grocery store and see if he'll eat that.

[AndrewH]

Well I threw a frozen half shell clam in today and he picked bits of it, but didn't completely eat it. He seems more consumed with chancing his reflection up and down the glass for what seems like ever, he'll swim up and down the side bareing his teeth.

Should I give him a couple of days to get hungry? He seems plenty hungry as he goes around and bites the rock.

I can't find Ghost shrimp anywhere no one in my area stocks them, I tried fresh unfrozen shrimp and he took a couple nibbles and that was it.

As I said water parameters are perfect and when I say perfect I mean all levels are exactly as they should be.


Andrew

[losertastictoaster]

It may just be taking awhile for your puffer to settle in. He's in a new place and trying to get used to things so give him a bit to relax then try feeding him again.

[J-P]

tank pacing ... could = bored or sees his reflection = rival ... I am certainly no expert but the most common advice given is LOTS of structure in the tank. Plants broken eye lines etc ... Structure will give him something new to explore. If he/she is not expending productive engergy he/she won't be that hungry. Tank pacing (as far as I understand), is fairly common with transfers.

[AndrewH]

tank pacing ... could = bored or sees his reflection = rival ... I am certainly no expert but the most common advice given is LOTS of structure in the tank. Plants broken eye lines etc ... Structure will give him something new to explore. If he/she is not expending productive engergy he/she won't be that hungry. Tank pacing (as far as I understand), is fairly common with transfers.

He definitely sees his reflection as I have no covering on any of the glass to stop it from reflecting, there's plenty of stuff in the tank, in fact I added a 12 lb live rock today that he really enjoys playing in and around, and also just being lazy and laying on one of the branches. I've been thinking about sticking some jet black acrylic on the back and two sides to break up the reflection as I have a blenny who enjoys fighting himself as well!


Andrew