spotted burrfish?

[aquaknight]

Yea, you can buy live ones at the seafood department in the grocecy store (commonly called littleneck clams). Make sure they don't give you any opened one, as those are died and spoiled. After you get them, take a large bowl, fill it up with tank water and let the clams adjust. I usually get a dozen, and after an hour, the water is quite dirty. After that, you can keep them a live in the your tank, but note, these are a cold water species, and most will die after not too long. To feed, open the shell, either by breaking the shell up, or using a knife to pry it open.
Another option is prepackaged. H2O Life makes a bag full them ready to go. A well stocked LFS should have these. I use these all the time. Just a very quick rinse and drop in the tank. If you let thaw out too long, the meat tends to separate from the shell.

 

[drtash]

so feeding the fish clams from the grocery store, you soak them first? or do you just open them up and throw them into the tank?

 

[aquaknight]

Yea, I would soak them first, just based on the crap that comes out. Also, you're dealing with live foods, so the chance of disease is always present (albeit, however small).
I forget who originally posted this, I think it was SRfisher, that suggested the soaking first method.

 

[salt nate]

cool, Ill try it soon. He is eating mysis(about 5-8 a day), do you think thats enough? he is 1 1/2" long...tiny
he is kinda kidney bean shaped. do you think this is cause he needs to keep eating or parasites?
Havent seen him poo yet

 

[rcreations]

Soaking the clams is used in order to "burp" them, so they expell whatever junk is inside. But if you open them in half and rinse them, that does the exact same thing. However, if you put them in whole, always a good idea to soak first.

 

[aquaknight]

Probably needs more, especially to help fatten him up. Really should start trying to get him on a wider spectrum of foods then just mysis. Scallops, clams, silversides, squid, etc.
Most likely he's skinny due to the collection process. Puffers have a higher metabolism, so they'll get skinny quick if not fed for too long.

 

[salt nate]

well hopefully thats all it is...
I will get him some more variety, but its only been 3 days so I was just happy to have him eat!
what about live food, what do they like. Will they get spoiled on it?

 

[sepulatian]

Keep away from live. That is a last resort if they will not eat frozen or fresh. He is eating. Keep him going with the suggestions provided.

 

[salt nate]

ok, i will keep away from live. I fed this morning and he ate about 4 mysis. I am going to my lfs to find some more food.
I might be over feeding my tank to make sure he eats. I have to give the other fish alot of food to keep them busy while i spot some in front of him. Is this ok?