Porkypine Puffer not eating

[bagemrn]

I just bought new 3 inch puffer, so far 4 day now not eating, active at night, hides during day, tried Krill and clams, not seemed interested. looks clean no ick.
In tank, yellow tang, new Empreror Angle Juvi, Bi color Blenny, 3 cleaner wrasse, 3 chromis,
125 gal tank,
Any sugesstions in feeding tips.

 

[leftyblite]

Give him time. It took mine about a week before I could get him to eat. Then I couldn't get him to stop. He is probably just getting used to the new environment. Good luck!!

 

[leftyblite]

Try using a feeding stick and wave it right in front of him. Mine eventually learned to be hand fed and then that was the only way I could get him to eat.

 

[bagemrn]

thanks for the susgestions, new 125 tank FOWLR, always wanted a puffer, I i have many tanks of corals and some small fish in each but new experience in big fish area,
By the way, I've read that puffers are messy eating fish, any susgestions in scavenger fish I can get for the tank or the refugium to clean up the food mess,
I have 125 with a 55 gal wet dry and refugium with 50lbs LR.

 

[sammyjoe]

I just bought a porcipine puffer as well and i love him.These are awesome fish.Mine started eating right away but i'm having a problem with my two clowns I got with him.They are not eating right now going on day 3. Think they are just getting used to the new tank for my damsels wouldn't eat at first either.
Give him time he should start eating soon cause they are hearty eaters thats for sure and a blast to watch.
Keep us updated.

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by BAGEMRN
I just bought new 3 inch puffer, so far 4 day now not eating, active at night, hides during day, tried Krill and clams, not seemed interested. looks clean no ick.
In tank, yellow tang, new Empreror Angle Juvi, Bi color Blenny, 3 cleaner wrasse, 3 chromis,
125 gal tank,
Any sugesstions in feeding tips.
Did you watch him eat at the LFS? If so, what?
Some chains will feed freshwater goldfish which can lead to an addiction, and liver disease.
ps the part in red is normal

 

[hotjeepinmomma]

Originally Posted by BAGEMRN
thanks for the susgestions, new 125 tank FOWLR, always wanted a puffer, I i have many tanks of corals and some small fish in each but new experience in big fish area,
By the way, I've read that puffers are messy eating fish, any susgestions in scavenger fish I can get for the tank or the refugium to clean up the food mess,
I have 125 with a 55 gal wet dry and refugium with 50lbs LR.
Ya they are very messy eaters i just traded mine in cause he was so messy that he caused my ammonia and things to spike! I'm not saying its going to happen to you but just a FYI! I had coral banded shrimp in there and crabs to clean his mess up, the tomato clown also gets a lot so if you have fish in there that will eat what you feed him you'll be fine, my problem was i had cc and not ls so there was a lot getting to the bottom and creating a big problem, also it took me a while to get him to eat, but once you do get him use to had feeding hes like a dog in a tank lol... i hated giving him up but he ate all my small fish ! Good luck!

 

[leftyblite]

My hermits used to take care of most of the food as did my tang, foxface, and angel who were more than happy to clean up the puffers mess. Aslo make sure you feed him hardshell food every so often such as clams etc to keep his beak trimmed. Mine would make a snack out of my snails and or hermit crabs every so often.

 

[bagemrn]

I got him thru Saltwaterfish.com, I just noticed that I am missing a chromis and another got bit mark on its abdomin, missing a snail and a hermit crab, tonight he is active as ever, I saw him bitting a chunk of frozen clams but then left the rest of it alone,
My yellow tang and the empeior Angle is battling for a cave in refuge, I may be missing a few cleaner wrass too, OMG,
I think I need to take him out and put it somewhere else,
Anyone know if puffers are ok with leather fingers coral and candycane corals, I have moutains of live rock with some 4 stripped and blue damsels in them, those turned out very agressive, I placed a 4 inch yellow tang in it and the 2 inch damsel beat it up. Had to remove,

 

[sammyjoe]

I heard that puffers snack on corals.As far as him eating your fish it is possible.I got mine from Saltwaterfish.com as well last week and haven't had any problems with him. He seems very docile. He is in a tank with two 3 striped damsels, 2 clownfish and a lawnmower blenny .I also have a clean up crew.I have not noticed any of them missing.

 

[edmlfc]

This is what I know about puffers............You cannot put them in a tank with coral they will eat it. The only coral you can put them with is bad tasting mushroom (I think). They will eat your clean up crew and smaller fish. As you found out. Most are very agressive and very few are not (depends on the puffer). There is lots of good information about puffers on www.thepufferforum.com. This is where I have been learning about mine. There is the puffer media, puffer library and write ups all about specific puffers. Check it out it might help. I currently have 2 Green Spotted Puffers and I am getting a Porcupine Puffer within the next few months. I am keeping them in a FOWLR tank. Lot's of luck to you and I hope you enjoy your new puffer.