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Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 8:27 pm
by L!$A
She hasn't been eating for about a week, she is still swimming around, and has great colour. Just wondering if maybe she is being picky, or going through a bit of a growth spirt or anything. All tank parameters are great, so I'm puzzled, she just doesn't seem to be too interested in food right now.
Re: Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 8:59 pm
by FADE2BLACK_1973
I know that my WC Blue Zaire male goes through a hunger strike time to time. I also have seen larger more mature fish do this. But I don't know if larger puffers do this.
Re: Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:21 pm
by J-P
not even earthworms?
Re: Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 12:40 pm
by Dadof4
It could be the time of year too, some of the fish I keep that come from that area slow down their feeding habits over this time of year. Other thing to check is all your electrical equip (Thermometer cords especially) for cracks or possible areas of stray voltage. Rare occurance but I've see Fahakas get bored and "Taste" cords to see what they are. Have you seen him poop lately, could be constipated with no appetite.
Please answer all the Q's in red though.
Re: Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:10 am
by xrayjeeper83
answer the questions above hahaha
Re: Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 2:33 pm
by L!$A
Dadof4 wrote:It could be the time of year too, some of the fish I keep that come from that area slow down their feeding habits over this time of year. Other thing to check is all your electrical equip (Thermometer cords especially) for cracks or possible areas of stray voltage. Rare occurance but I've see Fahakas get bored and "Taste" cords to see what they are. Have you seen him poop lately, could be constipated with no appetite.
Please answer all the Q's in red though.
lol I knew someone would ask!
pH, consistant 7.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite 0.0
Nitrate .5 lowest you can have
tank mates - geos .. been in there for about 2 months now
1 water change, weekly 50%
No changes, other then moved around decor, which I do everytime I do a water change
Aquarium has been set-up for at least 1 yr, had fish in it before Nala, and Nala has been in there for about 6 months?
& No I haven't seen any poo lately, the geo's seem to eat everything up so I don't know if they're eating her poo or what. Very well may be consitpated, which was my first thought as well.
& No JP she's never been too much of a fan of earthworms, used to, but doesn't care much for them now.
Re: Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:09 pm
by jtbadco
I know my puffer does not like changes to his/her tank. When I moved him to my house originally he didn't eat for 2 weeks. When I transferred him to a larger tank,...again stopped for 2 weeks.
Never had a problem since.
Re: Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:00 pm
by L!$A
I have spoken with two local fahaka keepers here, and theirs went on a strike for 2 weeks as well. I just don't want to take any chances, of course. lol She's coming up to the 2 week point, so hopefully she'll come around, in the meantime we'll try tempting her with different options, watching for poo & any change in behavior
Re: Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:25 pm
by Hilly
What temp is the tank Currently at?
Re: Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:36 pm
by PolishPuff
No changes, other then moved around decor, which I do everytime I do a water change
When do a decor change I never move driftwood or caves. Only plants ( fake silk plants )
One time I did a complete decor change in my Modestus tank and he stop eating for a week + he was hiding in one spot for a while.
Re: Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 1:44 pm
by geronimo69
When I first bought mine, he was tiny, like the size of a nickel. It took almost 3 weeks for him to eat! Everytime I've moved him (from a 55, to a 75 to his current 150) he has stopped eating everytime. It took a few days to a week each move.
Re: Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:32 pm
by L!$A
temp is 80, I've always changed around her decor since she was a wee one.. havent had any problems, until now, but fish can be very strange lol so I wouldn't doubt it if it has anything to do with it.
Re: Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 4:02 pm
by Hilly
Try dropping the temp down to around 75. Leave for a few days and then try again. I noticed an increase in appetite when I dropped the temp. Worth a try.
Re: Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 4:24 pm
by Pufferpunk
Lower temps lower metabolism.
Re: Nala not eating (fahaka puffer)
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 4:37 pm
by geronimo69
Pufferpunk wrote:Lower temps lower metabolism.
Correct. This is why fry should be raised (albeit depending on species) in warmer waters. Of course, with a higher meta, they have to be fed more often. Hence feeding fry 3-4 times a day...
Leave the temp in Nalas tank the way it is. She'll come around, I'm sure. Keep an eye on her poop.