The Puffer Forum

One of my little young DPs which I bought recently doesn't show any interest in the bloodworms I usually feed my DPs. I had some snails, but didn't get to make a snail farm and now the snails are all eaten. The little DP concerned has already become skinnier. I keep this fish in a small tank with one other young DP and this DP eagerly eats the worms (AND snails when the chance was there).But this doesn't seem to affect the other DP.

Is there any trick to make the starving DP eat worms? Or is there nothing I can do and then the fish will die eventually?
Why won't the DP eat worms? Is it because he is wild caught and used to live foods?

I plan on starting a snail farm this summer so I can give my DPs snails now and then. I also want to try hatching some brine shrimp for my fish also this summer. But blood worm is supposed to be the main diet for my fish! It's been so far with no probs at all.

It may not ever have had them and doesn't recognize them as food. Try soaking them in declor water with some garlic slices. Keep offering.

Really, do they like garlic? I'll try! And I'll keep offering the worms too every day when the other one is fed. I hope he starts eating then....

Thanks Boxermom!

One of my DPs only eats live worms and snails. Wont touch frozen bloodworms.

Garlic is a natural appetite stimulant, it often helps encourage stubborn fish to eat.

if you have any empty snail shells anywhere, tucking a bloodworm of piece thereof into the shell will likely trick the puff into at least attempting the worm. What brand of bloodworms are you using? Hikari tend to be less waste material and smaller more DP manageable.