The Puffer Forum

Has anyone ever tried zebra mussels for puffer food before? I live right on the water, and i can easily pluck hundreds of these in a matter of minutes. I'm not worried about parasites as i would QT for months, or freeze them, but what about the sharp edges?

The lakes in my area are reasonably clean, so likely not a lot of toxins in the meat.

Thanks

DGabbs wrote:Has anyone ever tried zebra mussels for puffer food before? I live right on the water, and i can easily pluck hundreds of these in a matter of minutes. I'm not worried about parasites as i would QT for months, or freeze them, but what about the sharp edges?

The lakes in my area are reasonably clean, so likely not a lot of toxins in the meat.

Thanks

We have had this discussion before. IMO no. Do not use them. Or use them with caution. Zebra mussels don't metabolize toxins 100% like other filter feeders. Thus, we can't eat them. Puffers also metabolize toxins differently than we do. Puffers retain the toxins making them deadly to eat. I wouldn't try it, but that is an individual choice.

Good point... If anything i may just freeze some to use only as last resort back up in case something happened to my snail breeding tank.

But no worries about the sharp edges?

Thanks

no worries on the sharp edges. Again freezing... I am of mixed emotions on that topic. I know that some inverts can survive the freezing process. We're talking about deep freezing and they still live. At the moment we don't have a list that will survive, but I do know of some larger inverts that can do it. IMO if the larger more complex organisms can do it, the more simple parasites can do it.

Thus, I'd not take the risks.

If i wanted to feed my puffer some shrimp from the market, uncooked is whats recommended correct?

Thanks

Yes uncooked and unseasoned.

Thanks!