Other food options

[Morticia]

All of my LFS are out of ghost shrimp and snails...all. I'm not sure how this happened, but they are all saying they are a week to two weeks out from getting more. My fahaka is still a juvenile somewhere between 3-4in. I don't think he is ready to graduate to muscles or clams. Does anyone have any ideas on a different food option? I have frozen blood worms and krill for him but I normally mix in snails and shrimp for his beak and so he has something to hunt to keep him entertained. Any ideas?

 

[Achilles1763]

At that age you really don't need to worry to much about his beak as he is still growing. Muscle meat is a good cheap option and just chop it up and spread around the tank ao he has to look for it.

 

[Morticia]

Hiding it is a good idea. I was mostly concerned with boredom. He loves hunting the shrimp and finding the snails. I just purchased 10 shrimp day before yesterday, but it seems my community tank has taken to eating them as well. Thanks for the idea

 

[Achilles1763]

I have my fahaka in a large predator comm tank and everything likes ghost/river shrimp! Lol ... I also feed live crabs (maybe not till yours is big enough) crayfish, mussels (shell on and off), clams in shell, chopped up fresh sardines, live Morio worms and locusts'. It all just adds to a health diet for your puffer.

 

[knobhill]

You can also get frozen shrimp (uncooked), thaw and chop into smaller pieces.

 

[Morticia]

I found one store with 5 live shrimp so I got those and some frozen shrimp for him. He was so excited to see the shrimp he turned dark and instantly started hunting as soon as they entered the water. I'm going to try hiding the frozen ones too so he still has to find them to keep him entertained. Thanks for all the tips guys and gals

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Also u can breed microcrabs and triops for him

 

[Morticia]

Im a little scared of crabs and crawfish. I know they are built to hunt, but I'm afraid of him getting hurt.

 

[Hendre]

Triops will work, bloodworm will work. Maybe maintain a breeding colony of shrimp in another tank? At least you can find shrimp readily there, i get none here

 

[Fat Homer]

Im a little scared of crabs and crawfish. I know they are built to hunt, but I'm afraid of him getting hurt.

Just make sure the cray is smaller than the puffer and its all good, coz once your puffer gets nipped a few times, they will quickly learn how to deal with them...