The Puffer Forum

Today was feeding day for the bigger puffers, including the baileyis, Phil and Lil. Phil got first dibs last time so Lil got to eat first tonight. As usual, I held the piece of shrimp with the long tongs and made her chase it around before she got to eat it. When it was Phil's turn, I guess he'd decided he'd had about enough chasing around, as he sunk his teeth into my finger instead of the shrimp! HOLY COW, does that ever hurt!! Normal human reaction kicked in and I jerked my hand out, not realizing he was still attached to it. He landed on the carpet. I went into spaz mode and quickly but carefully scooped him up and got him back into the tank as fast as I could. Miraculously, he didn't puff up while he was out of the water. The piece of shrimp had fallen onto the substrate, so I grabbed the tongs to retrieve it, and he happily and immediately started munching on it.

He actually broke the skin and I'm bleeding a little. You can't tell from the photos very well but there's a piece of skin missing. 10 minutes later, it still hurts like hell.

guess he didnt like chasing it lol

Good lesson - don't poke bears with a stick.

AWE He kissed you, he must like you

Bad Phil bad!

But if you were holding it with tongs and a string, how'd he get your finger? You need longer tongs and/or string!

Ok, now you're starting to sound like my husband. "What was your hand doing in the tank??" No string, just the tongs. They're about 9" long and I hold the shrimp with the end. But I was moving it around in the tank and making him chase it around and I guess he didn't want to play today. I don't think he really missed the shrimp, he seemed to know exactly what he was doing. My hand was a good distance from the shrimp, he didn't miss. I don't think he expected to be flung onto the carpet though.

ROFL.. that's too funny, I'm sorry!

Either he's always wondered how you taste and decided today was the day to find out, or he was really mad at you for making him wait! My feeding tongs are about 12-14 inches but I never use them, wanna trade? I think they are too long and bulky, kind of like big plastic pliers...

I should be more careful too.. the turgidus I got from Pufferpunk? When I first got him she warned me he might take a chunk out of me, and he did go after my hand a few times. Since then he's learned that if I throw him a crushed snail (I do a blend, let him crunch the little ones but if its a really big one I smoosh it) that he misses, and I reach in to grab it (so it doesn't just rot), if he waits patiently and doesn't go after my hand he'll get a nice treat (the snail). Where before if he went after my hand, well, he didn't get anything but my hand getting yanked really, really quick! He's got big teeth and I've seen what he can do to a snail that's hard enough to cut me when I crush it, I don't want my fingers near his mouth!

So now he doesn't hide from or attack my hand, but follows it around waiting for goodies the rare ocassion I have to reach in there to prune plants or something. One day I know he's going to get impatient.. maybe if I always make sure i feed him first??

I'm not sure 12-14 inch tongs would be any better. Looks like mine are 10", they're these with the straight tip: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 004+113218 But see, you can't hold them at the very end, you gotta hold them around the middle to keep them closed. Maybe I need to get some long handled kitchen tongs or somthing. I thought of my long deep fryer chopsticks but they'd easily pull the food out too fast.

I still can't believe the little bugger bit me though!

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... &N=0&Nty=1

These are what I have .

Would those work with a puffer gnawing and pulling the shrimp at the end? What I usually do is just use one large piece of shrimp and let Justin have a couple of bites, then Lil, then Phil (or vice versa), then Hummy the GSP. Although I suppose I could cut it up first and feed each one a piece. Anything to keep their teeth out of my skin!

I think so, they have sort of ridges on the grip part, like pliers do? I would never use them to pick up a rock like they show in the photo, just for feeding, they are pretty lightweight.

I bought mine to give my corals food, you know, to direct feed them if they needed it, but they are too long, pretty ackward. And I don't have any corals left to feed, other that the mushrooms which do okay on their own!

The only thing I'd be somewhat concerned is if the puffer bit them, they are plastic, but I don't think a puffer would bite off and swallow a chunk.. then again, lil tore apart your bubble wand! Hopefully they'd concentrate on the food instead!

True, she did but the replacement bubble stone is still intact. Ok, I'll get one and give it a try.

Thats quite funny and no harm done really thankfully. I used to hand feed Clooney when he was little and thenprogressed onto small tongs. However as he grew I had vision of needing bigger and bigger tongs and before I knew it I would need BBQ tongs I now just plop stuff in for him but he stiill follows my hand at feeding time. When it comes to cleaning and plant mattrers he leaves me alone really apart from this time, I was surprised how quickly I moved

Was someone following you with a camera just waiting for the day your hand gets taken off?

What is that beautifully marked fish in the far right of the top picture? Some type of pleco? Is it a fish at all? hehe

The more pictures I see of Mbu's, the more I realize just how good-looking of fish they are!

Yeah thanks he is gorgeous but I guess this is the Mbus downfall, they are irresistable when young but as we all know not many people can house one properly, myself included

I took the photo myself actually aided by my long arms and sheer luck. I did nearly drop the camera when he lunged though

With reference to the fish I guess you mean Lenny the sailfin plec