MBU won’t eat
- Thread starter justink
- Start date
garlic has yet to fail me with puffers. may be another underlying issue though
Fat Homer
would probably have better insight on this subjectHoping I didn’t get doofed on a bad fish as it was sold to me on this forum. Not a new import. I’ve had some stubborn fish but this one is taking the cake. I’ll have to try soaking in garlic
My experience with puffers is very limited, but I know with a lot of predatory fish (mainly wild caught ones, which I know yours is not), live feeding is the only way to get them to start eating. I doubt this is the case with you, but I suppose that's a possibility, what have you tried feeding him?
Good is a strong word. I’d say “lucky at the moment” lol.
Fat Homer
is definitely the go to puffer guy, but I’ll give it my best shot.What are tankmates (if any)?
What size tank?
Decor in tank?
Most importantly: what have you tried feeding it?
A large fish can go a while without eating. Most large predators are slow to eat after introduction, puffers being extra nervous. Garlic soaked food usually does the trick. These large puffers will eat anything.
Good point. Many puffers will only take live food and it takes a long time to train them to eat frozen.
Depending on what it’s previous owner fed it, it may not recognize what you feed as food.
Puffer is about 5-6 inches only tankmates are a few orange parrot fish. I’ve tried feeding shrimp and pellets so far. Last night was the first night trying food soaked in garlic with no luck. Was considering trying some live night crawlers. Would prefer to stay away from feeders as most are very contaminatedGood is a strong word. I’d say “lucky at the moment” lol.
What are tankmates (if any)?
What size tank?
Decor in tank?
Most importantly: what have you tried feeding it?
A large fish can go a while without eating. Most large predators are slow to eat after introduction, puffers being extra nervous. Garlic soaked food usually does the trick. These large puffers will eat anything.
Parrots probably aren’t much of a stress.
Forget about trying to directly feed it pellets, that is a lost cause for most puffers. To get pellets to it you will have to stuff them inside of shrimp or other foods.
Look into bloodworms (not as a staple), black worms, mysis shrimp, and brine shrimp as options at this size. And of course snails. As he grows clams, crabs, and crayfish make good foods. Shrimps and crayfish can be bred to avoid disease.
Forget about trying to directly feed it pellets, that is a lost cause for most puffers. To get pellets to it you will have to stuff them inside of shrimp or other foods.
Look into bloodworms (not as a staple), black worms, mysis shrimp, and brine shrimp as options at this size. And of course snails. As he grows clams, crabs, and crayfish make good foods. Shrimps and crayfish can be bred to avoid disease.
