The Puffer Forum

Hi! After weeks of planning and cycling my tank, my green spotted puffer fish, puffy is finally here. I have came up with a few questions that I can't seem to find answers to though. I am wondering if it is normal for his belly to be lumpy. It is almost all the time like that and is especially noticeable when he eats. I also am having trouble getting him to eat snails. I have offered him ones of all sizes but he is not able to crack the shells of them. He is only about 1.5 inches, should I be waiting until he gets a little bigger to feed him the snails? He is eating all of the other food I have offered him so far though. I am also looking for some advice about what people do for feeding while gone for a week or so. I originally thought that I could just put freeze dried food into an automatic feeder but found out that the freeze dried food should be soaked first. It's crazy that there really isn't anything out on the market as far as feeders for frozen or wet food. Sorry for all the questions.. but thanks in advance for your responses!

Crush the snail shell before offering, it will still help to keep his teeth in check. Puffers have no ribs so you can see anything in their tummys, treat for ips as a precaution. When I go away for a week I normally put a few extra snails in after lights out and get someone to pop in mid-week to give a little food

+1 to Bertie's comments on the puffer's lack of ribs making their meals much more visible to the fishkeeper than other fish. That is just one part of their adaptation to puffing up and is full normal. If nothing else it gives us more info on whether or not they are eating.

congrats on your new puff ;D we'd love to see pics some time

side note- if the freeze dried food you're talking about is krill, be careful. puffers can get addicted to it and will refuse other foods- not to mention it apparently causes lockjaw, eeep.

thought of a name for your little guy yet/

I know it's not too original, but his name is Puffy. I am a little concerned about the lumps though when I know he hasn't ate in awhile. I think I might treat for internal parasites, just in case. And thanks for the tip about the krill! I have freeze dried krill, bloodworms, plankton, and mysis shrimp but I can sure tell that he really likes the krill. I will make sure to only give it to him every once and awhile.

I posted some pics in my gallery, I think I might have taken 30 pictures altogether to get about 2 that turned out lol he just wouldn't be still

He's adorable!!! Thanks for sharing.

Sounds like you're off to a good start with an awesome selection of foods. My figure 8 goes bananas for mysis shrimp. I'm pretty sure the experts will tell you to just avoid krill entirely, just to be on the safe side. I'm pretty sure lockjaw is what killed my ex's porc.

I can totally sympathize in terms of taking a million shots. Once he figures out that your face = food maybe he'll stand still longer.

Welcome to the forum, if no one's said it yet!

I will definitely be careful with the krill for sure! Thanks so much for your advice!

You're most welcome!

Human-grade frozen, raw seafood is a good treat once in a while too (or full scale diet for some of the larger puffs), as I'm sure the others will tell you. Feather once tried to tug an entire shrimp out of my hand, despite it being bigger than him.

Be warned your GSP will get big.

In a years time they go from being just smaller than my thumb...


To this big guy... (Currently 5 inches)

Oh my gosh, just one year? I didn't realize it would go by that quickly I will be upgrading his tank when he gets bigger because he's just in a 20 gallon right now. Looking forward to watching him grow:)

Your puffer is beautiful by the way

I think I once heard someone describe them as "Friendly nerf foot balls" around here. XD Can't remember who.

Psssst! Brianna! I don't know what kind of stores are around you, but I used to work for Petco, and my sources tell me their dollar per gallon sale is starting up again within the next few weeks. Might be a good idea to snag a 40 gal or even a 55 gal- you'll get it for way cheaper than usual, and that way you'll have it. Most of the forum members will tell you upgrading as you go can stunt the fish's growth :S

Sgt, that is the derpiest, most loveable smile ever! I think some day when I have the room for the tank and the knowledge for marine I'd like to get a GSP. Course, I dream of all sorts of puffs...my future house is in trouble..ahaha.

Sgt, the GSP in the background of your first shot looks he's thinking to himself, "Oh yes. Some day, I will be a football. Someday, I will eat you out of house and home. SOME DAY I WILL BE HYOOGE FEESH AND EAT EVERYTHING "

LOL! And yes they will - which is why I am the local,oddball who does not believe in upgrading tank size "as needed". Some time back I changed over to moving from their QT tank directly into their permanent home. Many hobby fish, definitely including puffers, can and do grow quite fast if given room from the beginning.

I totally agree, I wish I could have started with a larger tank but I am in a dorm room that doesn't allow anything above 20:/

If you are not allowed larger than a 20g maybe this is not the fish for you. A 20g will cause this fish problems in no time I'm afraid