The Puffer Forum

I apologize if this would be better in the basic care or health forums, but I figured since it's fahaka specific.....

Anyway - I have read to feed them daily when they're young, and 2 or 3 times per week when they're older. Where is that cut off? At what size does one begin feeding more intermittently? I don't know how old my new fahaka is, but he's ~6" TL.

Thank you!

At 6", I'd feed every other day. How's his mouth today?

You can also feed based on their body condition. If he's looking a little porky then cut back on the feedings. If he's looking too thin then increase them. There's no real rule for feeding them. Start with the above-mentioned guidelines and then over time you'll learn how to tweak the amount of food he needs

I still struggle alittle with getting the correct amount. He's getting a bit porky so will cut back a bit, I upped it cos he was a bit skinny for my liking. I can imagine it's easier to balance when they stop growing.

In my very novice opinion he looks a healthy weight right now. Not overly porky, and the bones of his face aren't visible either.

His mouth appears a little better today. It's not open quite as wide, but still always slightly open. I'm hoping it's just stress.

He did attack a (formerly frozen) shrimp that I put in for him this morning. he bit big chunks out of it, so i assume the mouth is working fine, even if it's unusual for it to be open all the time, as it has been.
VERY messy eater. I assume from the slight rounding (hopefully not imagined) of his belly that he did indeed eat his fill. I will give him a little longer & then remove the rest of the shrimp & do a water change to take care of any chunks. I will probably feed again tomorrow, because I know the seller we bought from fasts his fish for a little while before shipping them, and then I will move to an every other day or 3x per week feeding schedule.
TY!

i find little and often equals an active fish

How little & how often do you recommend?

To start I would feed him when he begs, it will build the bond, only a bit though not necessarily a whole meal everytime. He will soon relax and then you can set a regime. I am in no way saying overfeed, just a good meal 3 x a week and a little as a treat here and there

Fahakas are also notorious for going on hunger strikes when something changes so keep that in mind if he isn't eating quite as well as you'd like. Sounds like he's pretty comfortable already though!

cfl1974 wrote:How little & how often do you recommend?

kinda varies fish to fish , but if mine wants to eat he's gotta beg ! ( although don't be tricked into feeding them everytime they beg or you'll have a very inactive lazy bloated puffer , which is a big no no ! ) .............if they go and sit at the bottom straight after eating , then next time give a little less .....over time you'll be able to judge by stomach size pre and after meal ...............keep diet varied and you'll have a happy puffer

Flutter wrote:Fahakas are also notorious for going on hunger strikes when something changes so keep that in mind if he isn't eating quite as well as you'd like. Sounds like he's pretty comfortable already though!

This is soooo the truth!!! My old Fahaka *Fatass* went on them alll the time ... after i moved him 2000kms he was never the same...! Did not eat for 2 months .... then ate some rubber nose plecos ... got constipated.... then aquired ick ... and i tried to kill with antibitoics but was too far gone and figured salt would perhaps help or cure but passsed. RIP Fata$$... live longer bebe!! =)