What to feed tiny Dwarf Puffer?

[BlueDSM]

Hey, I recently bought 2 super cute Dwarf Puffers..... Theyre also very small, about 1/4" long.
I understand they can get up to 1", is this a maximum size, or is this the common size that they all reach?

Also, Ive tried shrimp, they dont like it... One likes bloodworms, but he has trouble eating them because theyre too thick for his tiny mouth. The other guy hasn't eaten anything.

What can I feed them at such a small size? Is frozen brine shrimp really small? Or should I start hatching my own live brine?

Thanks for any help.

 

[SirMinion]

Live bloodworms, snail hatchlings, daphnia and brine shrimp.

even if they can't swallow them whole, puffers are happy to nibble at them.

Live food will encourage them to eat.

By the way, I love the name you've given your GSP ....'Potato' is so descriptive of a GSP's shape. hehehe.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Mine had that problem, too. They seemed to be able to eat the smaller brine shrimp, though. Just get the frozen variety and a turkey baster. Use the tank water to thaw the food in a cup and then use the turkey baster to suck up the brine shrimp you think your puffers can take.

Also, go to your lfs and ask if they'll give you baby snails. Most lfs should be happy to give them to you. then, take the babies and crush them against the glass the puffers should try eating these (even if they are unsuccessful). From what I'm told, they need to munch on the shells to keep their teeth from either getting too big or deformed.

 

[Pufferpack]

I found that when my Dwarves were really small they preferred the frozen brineshrimp (I never tried live, suppose they would have liked that better) and once they got bigger they switched to blood worm, they always go after it first, once it's gone they start eating the brine and mysis shrimp. Dwarves will max out at 1 3/4 inches but most of mine have stayed around the 1-1/14 inch size....they may be like other puffers and reach about 3/4 ther full size quickly and then get to full size over the course of a few years from there.
Even at such a small size I think you'll find that they will attack larger pond snails and dive right into the shells to get at the meat (looks like they're wearing little snail helmets ), as tempestuousfury says you may have to smush one on the side of the tank, under the water, to get there interest, but once they get a taste they go at it with gusto.