The Puffer Forum

So far, Linus' diet consists of bloodworms, black worms, chopped pieces of shrimp and silversides, and snails. I'm wondering at what point is it safe to offer him live critters like crayfish and hermit crabs. He's now 4" and I think he could probably manage a small crayfish or crab on occasion (not all the time as they are a bit costly for me), but I fear he may get hurt with one of the pinchers. Should I go ahead and try getting a small quarter-size or smaller hermit crab, or should I wait til he gets a bit bigger?

I say try it, and if it looks like he's losing, take it out and wait a while 'till you try another. I think he'd learn after a while how to eat a crab/cray without getting pinched. As long as the crab is small I think he'd be able to figure it out. I bet he'll surprise you with his hunting skills.

Maybe I'll get one each for the others, too, if I can afford it. I'm sure Justin wouldn't have much problem getting one, he's a good 6" or so, and I'll bet the baileyis would love one. Even a small one for Hummy the GSP. He'd probably make short work of one, too.

Hmmm... I haven't paid much attention to the price but if they aren't too much, maybe I can make it a monthly treat for everyone if they all do well with them.

That would be a good enrichment activity for them if you can afford it. How big is your GSP?

Hummy's about 3.5-4 inches now. He's grown quite a bit since I got him, when he was smaller than a DP. His mouth doesn't seem quite as stretchable as the other types of puffers though, which is why I'd think he'd need a smallish one.

Aw, that must have been cute. I've never seen a GSP that small.

Well, if you decide to try out the crabs let us know how it goes.

Definitely will. Our LFS usually has tiny GSPs about the size of a DP. They tend to either have tiny ones or large ones that someone's traded in, not many in-between.

where do u find crayfish and crabs?
the only ones ive ever seen at my lfs are fairly large crayfish for sale in aquaria, not as food.

They are at my LFS, not being sold as food. But I know they usually have tons of small hermit crabs in the tanks usually with feeder guppies.

your best going with a red crab. They small enough even for your GSP, dont have tails to propell themselfs back at high speeds and there cheaper then crays lol

Ask if you can get a discount if your gonna buy a load (if you have a spare tank) or the fact that you will be buying them 2 times a month ect.

just my ideas