The Puffer Forum

I am the proud keeper of 5 baby pea puffers. My waters are ph 8, nitrite 3 ppm, hardness 180 and kept at 27 degrees. The tank is highly planted and has a large hard landscaped green man in the middle, so many hidey holes. They were fed on live worms in the shop. I gave them live worms for the first 48 hrs which a few puffers reluctantly nibbled at. I put this down to stress. This was 10 days ago. Since then I have been enticing them to eat frozen blood worms. They refuse. They look vaguely interested as the bloodworm floats by, but nothing. Help please. They seem to be growing… and seem ok. But I’m losing sleep… I was the most I’ve been exciting for ages but it’s turning into a nightmare. Can anyone save us …

Ps done water change too x

Nitrite 3? How large is the tank? How was it cycled? My stinkers will only eat live.

50 litres, fully cycled fish tank for several years beforehand. Nitrites 1ppm now after water changes.

Could they have worms? Or are they just picky?

ANY amount of nitrite is extremely toxic to your fish. I wouldn't eat either.