porcupine puffer can't eat

[kinsella5]

Suddenly, my porcupine puffer can't eat. It seems like he can't open his mouth wide enough to eat anything. He's interested and tries but can't open his mouth enough to get a bite of shrimp. I have fed him Krill all the time I have had him. HELP!

 

[beth]

How's the teeth growth? These fish have to eat things that will wear down their teeth, or they could develop problems.
I'd suggest that you also post in the Aggressive Forum, where more people are probably more familiar with this fish.

 

[kinsella5]

this makes me soooooo upset! The lfs where I bought the puffer said that as long as I gave him the frozen krill, he shouldn't have any problem. It is so fustrating when these stores don't really know how to take care of the fish they're selling. How can I tell if his teeth are too long? and where do I find a vet that will treat a fish? This fish is such a character, I really don't want to lose him. And to think this poor fish was taken out of the ocean so that I could kill him. I won't go through this again. THanks for any help you can give me.

 

[vickilee]

Ok - how old is this pork?
Over growth of puffer teeth is not as big a problem in porks then in smooth coat puffers, i.e. tobies, etc.
Puffers like a varied diet. I have two puffers, a porcupine and a toby. I make sure the toby gets a small snail every couple of weeks to help his teeth.
With the procupine it could just be that he wants a little variety in his diet. Mine did the same thing and I started offering him squid and he loves it.
There is a web site for porcupine lovers you could check out. But I really don't think it is long teeth unless he is older. If it were a toby I'd agree, but not as likely in a pork.
just try some squid or silversides. check out pufferloves.com as they may be able to help.
Good luck, I know how you feel about your puffer, I feel the same about mine. They do have such sweet personalities.

 

[vickilee]

I also want to mention that I was told that puffers when they
are little are pretty snappy/chomping type eaters, but as they
mature they become less chomping. So, he may be maturing
and just want a change.

 

[kinsella5]

Thanks so much for your answer - unfortunatley I have tried both squid and silversides to no avail. Last night I actually caught and held him and my husband tried to look in his mouth and see if we could see anything. We didn't even have luck with that.....He just keeps begging me for food but when I feed him he just swims up to it and maybe kinda "lips" it and then swims away. I've tried every vet in our entire area of the state and have had no luck finding anyone that will work on fish. Where do you get the snails to feed the puffers - I'll try that and also ghost shrimp. I did try one ghost shrimp and he paid no attention at all to it when I put it in the tank. I'll get a few this time and see if that will interest him more. It is just so sad when he begs but then can't or won't eat.

 

[beth]

Have you posted this problem over in the Aggressive Forum? The folks over there have more experience with these types of fish.
From what I understand, if the teeth are overgrown, you can usally see excess teeth. They need to heat harder foods, like shelled foods, etc.

 

[vickilee]

I get the little snails from the fish store where I buy fish. Also, try holding the ghost shrimp and see if it helps if he doesn't have to chase it.
It is true, if his teeth were over grown, it would be something you would see without much problem.
Also, where do you live? Is there an aquarium around that might take a look at hime.
Please keep me posted and let me know if your having any luck.
I'm a puffer lover too.

 

[kinsella5]

There is no aquarium except in Chicago or St. Louis which are both about 3 hours away. So, I'm out of luck there. My husband and I did try to hold the fish and open his mouth. Of course he "puffed" up but didn't seem to upset about the whole thing. Unfortunately, we couldn't see anything in his mouth, and couldn't force it open any farther than when he opens it to breath. We've tried it twice and no luck. I bought ghost shrimp and some rosy feeder fish. He didn't pay any attention to any of them even when they were swimming right by him. So that hasn't worked either! I've just about given up....and tonight he doesn't look good. It's been one week since he has eaten. I've been putting vitamins in the water - but how long can he last with no food. I hate to have him suffer - I hate all of this! I think I'm done with fish!

 

[fish head7]

Please don't give up! My porcupine puffer lasted 10 weeks without any food! Believe it or not! My baby is gone now, but I do hope that your puffer will make it.
What I suggest is putting Cravex in the water to stimulate his appetite. I only wish that I had heard of this product sooner. You can get it at your local ifs, I'm sure. You put it in the water and wait 2 hours and then feed him. It really does work! But, you need to try it right away.
I wish you the best of luck. I know it's painful watching him, but please try.

 

[kinsella5]

Thanks for all the advice - After 3 weeks of not eating - at least I sure didn't see him eat - he's back to eating and teasing for food all the time. He's going after the krill like he'd never seen them before and a few days ago he wouldn't even look at them! I am going to be sure to try to get some snails or some other foods for him. When I saw him eat, it made my day!