Feeding Puffer fish

[MamaZooKeeper]

What do u feed your puffer fish? I have been feeding frozen food but did research n found he needs something for his teeth. How often do I feed him special stuff? He's a blue spotted puffer. Thank you!

 

[Martini5788]

Clams and oyster on the half shell atleast once a week. He will scrape his teeth on the shell. Stuff snail shells with other meaty foods so he has to either crunch the shell or scape his teeth along it.

 

[MamaZooKeeper]

Where do I find that?

 

[Martini5788]

Snail shells? Go to your lfs and they will probably be labelled as hermit crab shells.

 

[MamaZooKeeper]

I meant the clam n oasters. I have lots of hermit crab shells. Will he find the ones that r filled? I have alot since I have hermits in the tank. I'm afraid the crabs will find it all first.

 

[Martini5788]

Clams and oysters you can find at the grocery store. Make sure they are fresh though. Depending on where you live, there might be a fish market

 

[Martini5788]

I usually put the shell on a rock, it takes a few times but the
Puffer will find it after a few times

 

[MamaZooKeeper]

Ok sounds stupid but I just Crack em open n put em in the tank? How do I feed it? I super appreciate your help. I guess I should of researched them a bit more before getting one.

 

[MamaZooKeeper]

Can I freeze them n then thaw n serve?

 

[Martini5788]

Yeah I would just crack them open and put
It in. Ime some of the frozen
Ones will disintegrate once thawed so be careful with nutrients and stuff like that. They also don't like them as much. Sometimes they won't eat them

 

[rssjsb]

Do you have a toby or a bigger puffer ("blue spotted" could describe either)?

I don't think tooth overgrowth is particularly common in tobies. Not that you can't give him the foods people are describing here. I just don't think it's a common problem like it is with larger species like dog-face puffers.

 

[Martini5788]

Do you have a toby or a bigger puffer ("blue spotted" could describe either)?

I don't think tooth overgrowth is particularly common in tobies. Not that you can't give him the foods people are describing here. I just don't think it's a common problem like it is with larger species like dog-face puffers.

This is true. They don't need crunchy foods as often as other puffers in my experience but it's still best to replicate their natural diet as much as we can

 

[rssjsb]

This is true. They don't need crunchy foods as often as other puffers in my experience but it's still best to replicate their natural diet as much as we can

Oh, I absolutely agree. The OP just seemed unduly anxious about overgrown teeth.

 

[Martini5788]

Oh, I absolutely agree. The OP just seemed unduly anxious about overgrown teeth.

Yeah. I'm assuming she meant a blue spotted Toby. The puffer forum will make you neurotic about their teeth lol

 

[humaguy]

Do you have a toby or a bigger puffer ("blue spotted" could describe either)?

I don't think tooth overgrowth is particularly common in tobies. Not that you can't give him the foods people are describing here. I just don't think it's a common problem like it is with larger species like dog-face puffers.

never heard that either...I wouldn't be too concerned...but btw, a piece of shrimp with its shell on will suffice...

good luck...

ted

 

[MamaZooKeeper]

I don't know for sure what he is hmmmm. I am worried about teeth overgrowth. I feed frozen fish food but didn't know about a shell I should feed...

 

[MamaZooKeeper]

 

[MamaZooKeeper]

here he is sorry the other was a crab lol

 

[rssjsb]

Looks like c. solandri or maybe c. papua, both tobies.

While it's not impossible, these guys do not usually have the tooth problems you see in dogfaces or other larger puffers. Just give him some shell-on shrimp pieces from time to time, as Ted and others have described upthread.

I love these fish.

 

[MamaZooKeeper]

He's cool as heck. He has a great personality. Guess I'll just feed him the frozen mysis and other foods the other fish eat.