porcupine puffer has stopped eating after 2 years

[ogre]

7" puffer has gone on a hunger strike. His activity level has dropped off also. I have good water except for Nitrates. I've been battling high Nitrates for years and fear it's nitrate poisoning. Salfin Tang is strong and eats like there is no 2mr0. I have both in a hospital tanks until the tank is deconstructed and reconstructed in an attempt to get the upper hand on the Nitrate issue I've had since the beginning 3 1/2 yrs ago. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

 

[2quills]

What do you feed it? Are it's teeth overgrown?

 

[ogre]

He eats krill, crab legs, scallops, peas, some frozen cube missus, whole frz shrimp as well as a limitless supply of blue and red leg crabs to chew on. My wife said he eats better than us. I plan on trying crawdads as soon as i can get one to see if it's a live food issue..

 

[2quills]

May want to do some reading up, I hear there can be issues with their teeth causing problems such as this. I've never owned a puffer though so I'm not much help in this area.

 

[chain]

Yea If his teeth become overgrown he will be unable to eat. They have to be fed regular supplies of snails or anything with a hard shell. This will help keep the teeth worn down. Some places actually recommend to have a dental checkup done on your puffer every 6 months; however this usually isn't plausible or possible for most people. If it in fact it is an issue with the teeth, then they will have to be filed down to allow him to eat again. I would be leary of doing this yourself; however it may be possible. May want to consult the advice of someone who has dealt with this issue on here, or try to find an expert on the issue. It's also possible that it isn't his teeth, but a quick check will at least eliminate a teeth issue from the possibility list.

 

[deejeff442]

+1 i have read a few times about filing their teeth .no matter what you feed them in captivity it still isnt the same as in the wild to file the teeth down.i would start calling some lfs and see if there is a (fish vet) for lack of a better term around.
good luck

 

[aquaknight]

Puffers in the Diodontidae family, consisting exclusively of Porcupines and Burrfish, usually do not experience the overgrown beak issues, some what prevalent in other puffers (for us saltwater guys, that basically leaves puffers in either the Arothron or Canthigaster genra). You are certainly feeding the gambit of foods, some of which are hard-shelled enough, his teeth should be well within check. Though I will take issue with some of them, later.
Need more info on how long this hungry strike has been on, and went it started versus when he went into this hospital tank. And more info on the hospital tank itself, how big, his he in with the sailfin?
A picture of the puffer would be great in assisting to see if any obvious issues exist, as well.

 

[ogre]

Sorry no pic, but I have spent long periods with an up close eye looking for any signs of what might be different. Every thing looks normal. He & my salfin has been moved to my lfs for the time being while I reconstruct the tank, once I have my nitrates below 20 I'll bring him home. I know it's not the teeth. I've treated for just about any possible illness with true meds not just herbal treatments. My fear is nitrate poisioning. Do you have any idea what the effects of high nitrates are over long periods.