The Puffer Forum

Hi everyone, had my fahaka for nearly a year now. Just moved him to a bigger tank (4x2x2) and came across this forum! Some pics of the tank when just set up, and some close of Sir Puff once sand settled.



New tank picture! Happy Mr Puff!!

He looks great--very healthy! I suggest a more complex decor with taller items & a cave or 2 for him to hang out in.
Here's mine (please ignore the disco gravel, I was trying for maroon stripes on the puffer):

Love your setup! Looks great. Ive been looking at getting some larger bits of bog wood etc, he likes hiding out under the filter at the moment, some of the bits I already had some were from the old tank owners set up so are just to fill it at the moment!
I read some comments about krill on here yesterday and didnt have a clue even though since ive had him have become quite clued up about fahaka's! He absolutely loves the stuff and has been 99% of his diet since ive had him, a big chunk everyday!! Ive now stopped feeding him every day and have always put the occasional whole cockle in as a treat, but he is not interested in it anymore!

Thanks for the comments, you set up looks really good! Ive been looking at getting bigger bits of bogwood etc. Only had some of my things from the old tank and some from the old owners tank to fill it up a bit.

Looking at getting a jewel background too.

Even though im new to the forum I am quite informed about having/ caring for my fahaka, I was surprised to see a thread about feeding krill and have been a bit worried as his diet for the last yr has consisted of 99% krill, big chunks every day! I have know stopped feeding every day but he no longer eats anything else I put in even whole cockles which for the last yr have been an occasional treat!?

Sir Puff is one gorgeous Fahaka!

I am not much help, since my puffers are on the opposite end of the spectrum, size wise. I have seen keepers throw in earthworms, crayfish, shrimp and even a bug on Youtube. Have you tried shrimp? They are closely related to krill. Sir Puff might be tricked into thinking it's a krill on 'roids. As for the cockle and other molluscs... maybe you can serve them on the half shell to tempt him since he has gotten fussy. Smelling and seeing the plump gooshy flesh lightly swaying in the water might change his mind.

Good luck.

ps: Yes, Top Gear is quite popular in the US, especially the last few years. I was a huge fan way back when, thought their later seasons were rather over the top, esp the races and specials. Was gutted when Clarkson had to be an eeeediot, and had to be let go.

I have tried lobster legs now too which I read people were feeding, and not interested!!

Really dont know what to do, all he will eat is the krill!! What will be the possible side effects?

Main reports of a primarily krill diet is lockjaw. Great technique for finiky eaters is to combined the currently accepted food for something you want it to start eating. So... put some krill in with a cockle or crab leg if it gets a bite of the cockle or ect, it will start to get used to consuming it. Start to dial back on the krill untill you are feeding just the other food.

Thanks for the advice I will try and report back!

Soak his food in a little crushed garlic, irresistible to puffers. I have a rock and root background in the shed. Pay postage and it's yours. I had it before I started making my own

Try live food, like earthworms & crabs or crayfish.

Hi thanks for the tips guys, he has started to eat some cockle out of shell when put in with a little bit of krill.

Thanks for that advise Welch4.

Bertie 83 do you have a pic? How much estimate for postage?

Can dig it out and take a photo at the weekend. Where abouts are you?

Ok thank you, im located in Fareham its inbetween Southampton and Portsmouth.

bertie 83 wrote:Soak his food in a little crushed garlic, irresistible to puffers. I have a rock and root background in the shed. Pay postage and it's yours. I had it before I started making my own

Just read this post and I have to ask - do puffers really like garlic?

Raw garlic, grated to add to their food? This seems too cute to be true, as next time I make garlic shrimp I will set aside a piece of raw shrimp and garlic for our dwarf puffers ^_^

Make sure there's no oil/butter on that.