Porcupine Puffer Concern

[puff0224]

I have a couple of concerns about the porcupine puffer I have had in my tank for about 4 months ("puff" stuck as his name). My biggest concern is that he is very very lazy....he lounges on the sand in the corner of my tank for 85% of the day. The 15% referring to feeding and rare curiousity. He has continued this act for about 3 1/2 months...the first couple weeks he was more curious. I have done extensive research on feeding my porcupine puffer but everything is contradictory. I have settled to 2 frozen krill daily at 12:00am. Is this not enough? Too much? Half of the krill is soaked in Kent Marine Zoe for vitamins and minerals. Could my feeding routine contribute to his laziness?
Levels:
Temp: 80
Specific Gravity : 1.022
PH: 8.1
Alkalinity: 9 dkh
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10ppm
Copper: 0
Additives:
Kent Marine Liquid Calcium
Kent Marine Concentrated Iodine
Kent Marine Coral-Vite
Kent Marine Essential Elements
Kent Marine Marine C
Kent Marine Superbuffer DKH
Also, there are plenty of crabs (emerald/hermit/horseshoe) in the tank for him to eat if he so pleases but he doesnt seem to bother with them.
During feeding he gets all excited and will swim rapidly at the top of the tank. Once he is fed he travels back down to the sand and thats it for the day.
Anyone spot anything that could contribute to his laziness??

 

[prime311]

Seems a bit unusual, but maybe you just got a lazy fish. How big is your tank? Not enough aqrea to explore might encourage that type of behavior. Krill needs to be just a small portion of a fish's diet, Puffers especially, as it causes lockjaw in fish when a primary part of their diet. That amount of food daily is fine, more then enough even, but you need to give them variety. You also need to make sure to give them some harder shelled food as well so their teeth don't get too long.

 

[srfisher17]

He sure needs more variety in his diet; like fresh shrimp pieces with the shell, clam, squid, etc. How big is he? Has he grown? Does he rush to eat what you do give him? Any other health concerns? This is not a good choice for a 55 gal reef tank..if your profile is current.

 

[rcreations]

I think feeding ONLY krill may be contributing to his lack of energy. You should always feed a varied diet. Just like people, fish can't live on just one thing alone.

 

[puff0224]

Thanks all! I could start feeding him the frozen brine shrimp and squid thats in the freezer...I just thought hed rather a nice whole piece of krill than a ground up piece of mushed squid. As far as other health concerns...well when he is active he seems happy and he physically looks healthy. 55 gallons is the tank he is currently in...however I realize how big he will get and when he does need a new tank I will provide it (maybe sooner). As of right now he is only 2-3 inches long...so he has plenty of room to swim. His only tank mates are crabs and a sleeper banded goby which is bigger than he is at the moment.
As far as shelled food...what should I give him? He wont eat the hermit crabs that are in the tank. I did give him an emerald crab for lunch yesterday but 4.99$ snacks get expensive. What else is available, prefereably live, that I could get him for a relatively cheap price? Shrimp and clams...human food from grocey store?

 

[hefner413]

you don't need to grind up squid. Just cut it into large chunks and feed on a feeding stick. My puffer loves it that way.

 

[puff0224]

I'm referring to the saltwater fish variety packs that I have for my goby. They contain cubes of squid, brine shrimp, and algae. Anyway...you buy these large chunks of squid from your local grocery store? I dont think i've seen anyone around here sell it.

 

[subee950]

I feed my box face puffer different things everyday try what was advised above I go to the store you can get bags of shrimp and other seafood also you can sure use fresh but its more money of course your puffer will love it and the verity will please him you don’t want to eat the same thing every day do ya

I feed a variety to all me fish in my tanks it is good for them to get different essentials from each food just like us as humans need.

 

[hefner413]

you can usually find then at an asian market. you would be surprised how many of them are around. just ask around - I asked the local grocery where you could find asian food and was surprised to find out that there were two locally in my small town.

 

[puff0224]

Thanks all! I will be hunting down some puff treats as soon as I get out of work. Maybe he just needed a little variety in his diet to spice his life up...we can hope!

 

[puff0224]

Well hefner413 you are absolutely correct. A simple google search reveals a seafood store that sells shrimp, crabs, clams, and oysters only 10 miles away from my house. I'll grab a little bit of everything and see what puff thinks!

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by puff0224
http:///forum/post/2683152
Well hefner413 you are absolutely correct. A simple google search reveals a seafood store that sells shrimp, crabs, clams, and oysters only 10 miles away from my house. I'll grab a little bit of everything and see what puff thinks!
Good plan!. A fresh clam, opened and dropped in the tank, is fish heaven. Be sure to take out any uneaten clam within a couple of hours. BTW; I don't know of anything that works better than a fresh clam to get finicky fish (or new ones ) eating.

 

[prime311]

Mine still won't touch the whole clams hehe. I feed whole Silversides, Krill, Super Worms, Live Ghost Shrimp, and stuff from the grocery store(Prawn, Crab, Shrimp) cut up and sometimes Lettuce and Carrot.

 

[puff0224]

Ghost shrimp?....I thought freshwater livestock was unhealthy for puffers.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by prime311
http:///forum/post/2683187
Mine still won't touch the whole clams hehe. I feed whole Silversides, Krill, Super Worms, Live Ghost Shrimp, and stuff from the grocery store(Prawn, Crab, Shrimp) cut up and sometimes Lettuce and Carrot.
Dumb question; but you are opening, or smashing the clams; tight? Being from Milwaukee, maybe try a Usingers Brat!

 

[prime311]

Originally Posted by srfisher17
http:///forum/post/2683218
Dumb question; but you are opening, or smashing the clams; tight? Being from Milwaukee, maybe try a Usingers Brat!

Ya I tried opening it. Others I threw in still alive and some died eventually and my eel and hermits took care of em. I wouldnt be surprised if hed go after a nice brat tho
>>Ghost shrimp?....I thought freshwater livestock was unhealthy for puffers.
Freshwater fish are bad to feed. Freshwater invertebrates are fine.

 

[puff0224]

Ohh well I shall see if puff likes ghost shrimp as well

 

[puff0224]

update...puff is eating clams and shrimp! I also picked up an emerald crab last night for his now weekly treat. I also got him crab meat and scallops which he chews up and spits out...I guess hes not a fan of either. I think I will try some oyster today and see how that goes. Nothing new in his behavior but we'll see what happens. Anyway, thanks all!

 

[subee950]

You can try squid i just got some from my local walmart my puffer loves it.

 

[puff0224]

I was wondering where I could get some of that! My local seafood store doesnt have any squid. Anyway I'll stop by wal-mart on my way home from work and see if they have it here. Thanks!