Puffer Anorexia

[Scalary Duff]

Hello , I am hoping someone can help me with my puffer fish dilemna. I recently purchased a neon freshwater puffer fish, who does not seem to be eating. We have been feeding him ( Sir. William) tropical fish flakes. He doesn't touch them. What are we doing wrong, am I a bad mother?

Scalary Duff

 

[James B]

hiya no its not your fault at all but the puffer needs hard shelled foods like shelled shrimp and snails to keep his teeth down and bloodworm as a treat wont touch flake food.

 

[Lynden]

You say "Neon Freshwater Pufferfish"

Is it in a freshwater tank, or a saltwater tank? The puffer you mentioned cannot tolerate saltwater; and seeing as you put this question in the saltwater forum, I have to ask the above question. If he were in a saltwater tank, that would explain why he is not eating.

Secondly, flakes are very rarely accepted by most Tetraodontids (Triggers, Puffers, Boxes). You could try feeding your puffer a frozen bloodworm or brine shrimp. He would probably eat one of those.

-Lynden

 

[SkiFletch]

Did you ask your LFS what the puffer ate at teh store? you might want to start with whatever that was