The Puffer Forum

I am new to dwarf puffers and have been researching them awhile. I just got two a couple days ago, and keep them in a 5 gallon until I can upgrade. They're the size of a fingernail. I've been feeding them frozen bloodworms. The smallest one (Elliott) eats like a pig, but Billy eats then spits the worm out continuously until she/he loses interest. Is this normal? Also I have mystery snails in my tank. Do dwarf puffers eat mystery snails?

Thanks for your help

Ok so first of all! Glad that you got a DP and also glad you joined the forum!! We can always use fresh blood and ideas!
So first of all....glad to hear that your first DP is at least eating. I have 3 ideas upon why the other is not eating.
Reasons:
1) He may be just like my DP and only will eat live food. Each individual DPs have their preferences...some may like live...others frozen. Your DP may rather enjoy a meal of live brine shrimp, bloodworms, tubifex worms, or black worms. My DP wouldn't even try eating any frozen bloodworms....I got him some live tubifex...he gorged as soon as he laid sight on the squirming worms.

2) Check water parameters. Ensure that your ammonia and nitrite are both 0. Absolutely 0....not even .5 or higher can be tollerated. If these are higher then 0...do a 50% water change of the entire tank. Also make sure the nitrates are below 20 ppm. No higher....

3) Check for IPs. IPs are Internal Parasites. The symptoms include a skinny stomach. Buy a Internal Parasite treating medicine. I don't however know what kind is most effective so.....ask someone else on that.

Hope he starts eating!! Oh and also, are there lots of plants in tank? That may be another reason he is not eating.

Billy has been eating more, which is good i hope. One side of her stomach is thin, and her poop is white and stringy. I think there may be a parasite. Should I treat the whole tank or just the one puffer? The other puffer is still doing fine, and so is the rest of my tank.

mlaus wrote:Billy has been eating more, which is good i hope. One side of her stomach is thin, and her poop is white and stringy. I think there may be a parasite. Should I treat the whole tank or just the one puffer? The other puffer is still doing fine, and so is the rest of my tank.

I've read that it's always a good idea to deworm any new puffer as a precaution, symptoms or not. So I'd treat all the fish.

+1
People are using different dewormers. I use GEL-TEK

Billy is not eating again, and I'm treating the tank with parasite guard. I've tried soaking the food in medication as well as garlic with no luck. Now my ammonia is going up and water changes are not helping, neither is an ammonia neutralizer. HELP!

What is your ammonia reading?

Try doing 75% W/C

How long were you soaking the food in meds?

Ammonia reducers are only a temp fix & that won't let your tank cycle properly, not get rid of the source of the ammonia. Move all the decor around & clean the substrate thoroughly & do very large WC. Be sure to clean up all uneaten foods.