The Puffer Forum

Hi all,

I have just started up a new tank which is home to 2 F8s. They seem very healthy, nice rounded bellies etc. They also live with a few bumblebee gobies.

I am feeding the F8s cockles on shell and feeding the gobies bloodworm. The puffers seem very interested in the cockles until the bloodworm appear in the tank and then their attention seems to divert. Is it best to feed the puffers until they leave the cockles alone and then put in the bloodworm say an hour later? Or will they always try to have some of the bloodworm?

Before I put the cockles in I open the shell up just enough for the puffers to get their mouths in and tug at the cockle inside. Should I be opening them right up so it is easier for them or does this defeat the object of giving them food on shell?

I don't object to them munching the bloodworm (as long as the gobies don't suffer) but I don't want them to get lazy!

Also, the cockles I have are very large - if the puffers do not eat it all, how long should I leave them in there before fishing them out?

Any advice appreciated,

Kev

Let them eat till their bellies are slightly rounded. They are lil piggys & will also eat the bloodworms, whenever introduced to the tank. Puffers are messy eaters. Don't the gobies rat the small pieces that are expelled by the puffers (usually out of their gills & mouth)? I'd feed cockles one day & bloodworms the next, skipping 1 feeding/week.

Yeah, the gobies do pinch the scraps - so I don't think they'll starve!

Everything seems to be fairly peaceful at feeding time (so far!) The puffers seem to give each other space when feeding.

How many times a day should I feed them?

Is one large cockle or prawn twice a day about right?

I'll try to post some photos later. They were in amazingly good condition when I got them.

I think twice aday, with the portions you describe is a little heavy a feeding schedule. I only feed mine once a day...One large prawn (about the size of a full grown F8 ) lasts me a week.

If they are small F8's and you want to feed 2x/day
Feed smaller portions...say about the size of their eye (or slightly more)...otherwise you will end up with faaat puffers with obesity related health problems (bad liver, heart)

Don't worry they wont starve...and they always act hungry.

Peregrine wrote: I only feed mine once a day...One large prawn (about the size of a full grown F8 ) lasts me a week.

Do you break the prawn up before feeding then?

I assume it's not hygienic to pull a gnawed prawn out the water and replace it the next day!

Yes, I cut it up into small cubes, and soak in a shot glass of vitamins and tank water (so they don't dry out-kept in the fridge)...I also usually take the tail portion (last 2-3cm), and tie some thread to it, and tie it near the filter outflow, or a power head, so it moves... they seem to enjoy attacking a moving target...plus it forces them bite through the shell to get to the meat.
I generally feed mine krill (frozen/thawed/presoaked), and supplement with snails, shrimp, and blood worms. I rotate through them so the F8's get some variety in their diet. (I have to get some cockles or clams)

I don't think hygiene is a large worry...if the food goes bad..they wont eat it. I would be more concerned with overfeeding a messy eater...wasted food that they or the gobies miss will fowl your water fast.

Thanks for the advice Peregrine.

The puffers didn't seem to mind tackling a full prawn!

Peregrine wrote: I don't think hygiene is a large worry...if the food goes bad..they wont eat it.

I have to disagree here.
There was also a post recently about a huge wipe-out from bad silversides.

kjharve wrote:Thanks for the advice Peregrine.

The puffers didn't seem to mind tackling a full prawn!

No, I don't suppose they would...kinda like an all you can eat buffet to a starving person...but eating all you can eat is usually a bad idea...for people and fish

lisalisa wrote:

Peregrine wrote: I don't think hygiene is a large worry...if the food goes bad..they wont eat it.

I have to disagree here.
There was also a post recently about a huge wipe-out from bad silversides.

Point taken, I stand corrected.
...they may eat spoiled food,