Help save a Puffer

[procain]

I recently acclimated a dogface puffer (aka Black Spotted Puffer) into my tank. He's been in the tank for about three days now and refuses to eat. This is with a few exceptions. On day 2 I got him to each about a 1/4 of a formula one pellet, which is primarily what he ate at the LFS. He has also managed to eat a couple of my feather dusters and several snails. I've been using all of my spare time to get him to eat these formula one pellets, but the battle is not going well for me. Today his color seems really dark and his breathing really heavy. He's lying on the substrate and looks to be in bad shape. I can only equate this to his lack of eating. My water quality is fine and all of my other fish are doing great. If anyone has some input on how to nurse the fat boy back to health, please post, please. Sorry this is so long but I wanted to provide as much info as possible?

 

[uconnfan]

I have a porcupine puffer and he seems to eat any of the frozen products out there. (mysis shrimp, krill anything like that ) you should be able to pick these products up at any lfs hope this helps

 

[blueberryboomer]

It's normal for a fish not to eat at first, even though he ate the 2nd day, it takes time for them to adjust to thier new home. Have you tried him with anything else, silversides, krill, etc. Also what else do you have in your tank for fish, maybe he is stressed.
Something to remember when he does start to eat good, try not to over feed, puffers will eat, and eat and eat until they sink. They should be called piggy puffers.
Sorry I can't offer much help, I'm sure someone else will have more to offer. Lisa

 

[procain]

I haven't tried any live food yet, with the exception of the unintended snail and feather duster victims. How long do they usually take to become comfortable enough to eat. He's in with a pair of clown fish, leopard wrasse, and a waspfish. None of these fish bother him, in fact they all get out of his way pretty quick.

 

[stacyt]

It may take a couple of weeks before the puffer really settles in and starts eating well. Try to start with frozen krill. Seems no puffer around can resist them. After he starts eating well mix it up with a variety of other frozen foods such as silver sides, frozen fish from the store, etc.
As far as live food is concerned avoid any freshwater feeder fish. They can be harmfull to you puffer in the long run. Also keep in mind that if you add live food, you also chance introducing disease into your tank.