The Puffer Forum

Every time I feed my dwarf puffers they have issues swimming! It tries so hard to swim but it can't! Can anyone tell me what's wrong?

Are they only having issues after feeding or at other times?

What are you feeding?

How much and how often are you feeding them?

I think it might be swimbladder.

And yes, its usually after feeding. I feed them a little bit of blood worms and krill occasionaly. I have two and the small one is the only one getting this.

Of course a full stomach aggravate a swim bladder issue but are you sure he is not just over feeding. Eating too much can cause abnormal swimming behavior.

I hope that's it, but if its safe I may just treat for swimbladder disease anyways. Will that hurt my other puffer or will he be okay?

I would try feeding less and see what happens. I feed my dwarff puffer about 4 or 5 blood worms 4 times a week.

If you want to try the meds just keep a close eye. I can not see why it would harm the puffers if used properly.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

So I only need to feed them once every 4-5 weeks? I was feeding them one a week.

A few worms a day with a day off each week is good for them. Are you using freeze dried? Everyone I have heard report your symptoms was using freeze dried foods.

I put some tablets in there to clear any of the harmful bacteria. I'll slow down on the feeding, too. Yes, they're freeze dried.

Your puffers have air in them from the freeze dried food. Even with presoaking this sometimes happens, I'd highly recommend a frozen food instead.

All I have to feed them are these blood worms and krill. Where can I find dwarf puffer food?

Krill should only be used occasionally as a treat. You can get frozen bloodworms, mysis shrimp, etc., at pretty much any pet or fish store.