The Puffer Forum

I recently bought 2 GSPs they are both only about 1 inch long. When i was feeding them a small shrimp they inhaled it. Both of their stomachs became very large. Is this normal and would they have stopped eating if i had not removed the piece of shrimp or do i need to watch for this and remove the food when it happens. Thanks

Puffs have no rib cages so their stomaches are capable of expaning to puff and expand to hold the tons of food they pig out on. Do not worry about the puffs stomache being buldgy or lumpy, its completly normal for a puff!

very normal. That's a sign they have eaten about enough. At least that's my basic knowledge from a week of exp w/ mine.

Feed until they're tummies become slightly rounded. I saw a thread about a puffer that split in 1/2!

Just like dogs, some puffers self-regulate, others will eat until they explode. My DPs are self-regulators that eat until they are full and leave the rest, my GSP would eat until he burst if I let him.

My one puffer I call "the fat one", will eat untill food pops out of his mouth. The other will stops exactly when his tummy is rounded. I guess she/he is trying to keep his/her figure.

My GSP will eat until there is no food in the tank, and then keep looking for food for up to an hour after!

Is there a rule of thumb on how much to give?

I just got two ceylons yesterday, both are about 2-3 inches. I didnt really know how much to give. I am feeding shrimp on shell for a few days until i can get some more crunchy food like cockle on shell. I gave them 1 and a half each, but didnt know if that is enough.

That sounds like way too much to me.
Just feed until their bellies are slightly round.

Agree w/lisalisa - The puffer's outline is the easiest and best way to tell that you are feeding correctly.