puffer

[jelwyoming]

I purchased a spiny puffer from the Divers Den today for a FOWLR tank that I am setting up. The puffer will go into quarentine with one other fish that has already been in there a little while. Is there any special instructions to get this guy to eat? What does LA feed their puffers? Has he already been QT'd for parasites or should I expect to treat it for those again?
Your listing for spiny puffers says that they are difficult to keep? I am wondering why they are listed like this? Bob Fenner says that they are excellent aquarium fish...aqua dogs! Am I missing something here?
Thanks...it is going to be a puffer on the prairie!
JELwyoming

 

[jelwyoming]

puffer

Reading more. I see that they are hardy but high maintenance. What does that infer? I have lionfish too. Are they equal in maintenance needs possibly?

 

[dfs/la2]

JEL,

The Spiny Box Puffer is listed as a difficult specimen as they are known to harbor more internal diseases than other fish harvested from the wild. We treat for these diseases in our Aquaculture Coral & Marine Life Facility before they are shipped to you.

These fish are a very hardy fish for the home aquarium and should be offered a variety of meaty foods such as squid, krill, clams, and hard-shelled shrimp to help wear down their ever growing teeth. They will require more feedings in order to remain healthy and thrive in your aquarium. We recommend feeding the Spiny Box Puffer at least twice a day. While in the care of our facility they are offered Frozen krill, frozen shrimp, and Ghost Shrimp.

You will need to use caution when adding the puffer to an aquarium housing other slow moving or long finned fish, as they are known to nip at these types of fish.

If you have any additional questions please contact us.

Joyce F.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith

 

[jelwyoming]

He is going in a tank with a full grown antennated lionfish. I have been checking to see if that is a reasonable pair; all my feedback says ok so far. I hope he doesn't try to nip at him. I did have another puffer with him earlier that worked well. He jumped out of the tank though.

 

[jelwyoming]

I would assume then that if he was treated and free from internal disease, and if my system is clean, which it should be, that he will be a great addition.