New Spiny Box Puffer not eating

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Chilomycterus schoepfi. I got him on Saturday. He's about 3-3.5 inches long. He's now (last 48 h) in a tank by himself since he was being tormented in the first tank I put him in. He pays no attention at all to frozen shrimp, fresh clam, and flake. He swims about, then rests in one place, then swims more.

Anyone have any suggestions on ways to get him feeding?

 

[Amphiprion]

Maybe try some live foods at night. They are a nocturnal species, so that may facilitate it a bit. When did you move it again? It is likely fairly stressed out, too.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks.

I moved it after a few hours in my 90 gallon tank as a big damsel keep striking at it. I can certainly understand it being stressed.

Any particular foods you recommend?

I didn't realize it was primarily nocturnal.

 

[Amphiprion]

Well, like any other nocturnal species in aquariums, they will make due during the day. I would try ghost shrimp or some other crustacean if you can. Small, softer shelled clams and snails might work, also. Mollusks and crustaceans seem to be their main fare, too, with varying amounts of other benthic organisms, including algae. If they are like many Tetraodontids, their diet can vary drastically, though.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks a lot!