Puffer will only eat krill

[DUrbanny]

Hey guys! I'm new to the MR forums here but have used the site a lot in setting up my tanks for the past 6 months.

I have a dog face puffer that will only eat freeze dried krill. I have tried everything from shrimp, clams, squid, mysis, silversides, pellets, etc. He goes absolutely crazy for krill on tongs, but I want to make sure he is getting a varied diet. Anyone have some tips? Thanks

 

[cryptics]

The best advice is stop feeding him krill. Puffers develop lock jaw that a bunch of people associate with a diet of primarily krill. You can look it up on google. I had at least 5 that got this before I found out what causes it. Their jaw locks open and they can no longer eat. The suck in the food then spit it back out whole. They eventually starve. I would try clams with the shell and squid or better yet Rods food. He will get hungry enough to eat it.

 

[DUrbanny]

Thanks, that's what I've read and my reason for concern. How long would you say it's ok for him not to eat? I've tried rods bc my triggers eat that (and everything else) but I picked up some fresh clams today so I'll try those. Appreciate the help.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Usually within a day to 3 days they should go for something else, im speaking generally on -all fish

 

[fireshark02]

When I had puffers they loved blood worms and mysis shrimp but they also ate everything even my finger if it was at the water surface.

 

[DUrbanny]

Thanks guys. Apparently the puffer doesn't like frozen clams, but loves the fresh ones. I cracked one open and he went right for it yesterday.

 

[E.intheC]

That's good news. I would keep trying those types of clams and shellfish. Even a piece of raw, unpeeled, shrimp (fom the grocery store) will usually be consumed. You don't want to feed these types of meals daily when the puffer gets a bit larger. They only need to eat once every few days.