Amazon Puffer Fish And Snails?

[transferman509]

Hey people how are ya:


I just bought a south american puffer fish, (freshwater), he is doing great, loves frozen brine shrimp, wont eat anyting else yet.

I know your suppose to feed them snails or some kinda crustacean so their teeth will keep healthy, my question is, i have put a few small snails in and he does not seem to want them at all. Actually my Auratus chiclid seems to pick away at it, does not actually eat it,but will go for it for awhile.

Will he eventully go after the snails. The local pet store i bought him from was feeding him frozen brine shrimp, he just loves it.

Anyone have this problem when they got their puffer fish.


Regards Andy.

 

[PRW1988]

Now, when you say "south american puffer" what species are you exactly IDing? GSP's are brackish as are all other types of puffers, the only true "freshwater" puffer is a dwarf puffer.

If you're looking to feed them snails, try ones no larger than the puffers eyes, also, just wait, your puffer will begin to kill the snails off one by one, you may not notice it, but it'll happen sooner or later.

 

[poopsydrew]

Sorry but that is incorrect, there are numerous species of true freshwater puffers, meaning they live in freshwater all of their lives.

Heres the link True Freshwater puffers

You will notice Colomesus asellus, or the south american puffer is listed.
I Have never kept the species, but from what I have read, dentistry will eventually be required, snails or not. I dont have an answer as to why hes not eating snails but if he has recently been added he may just be settling down into his new enviroment.

Good luck

Drew

 

[Dorkhedeos]

Try crushing them and putting the crushed snails in there as you would with food. Sometimes puffers need to know its food before they start eating it

 

[andywg]

GSP's are brackish as are all other types of puffers, the only true "freshwater" puffer is a dwarf puffer.

You'd best go and tell all those puffers that live in FW in the wild they are all in the wrong water. Probably best to rescue all those puffers that live their lives on the reef as well.