Rudy Mueller Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 (edited) Hi all! I’m looking for some help troubleshooting with a picky puffer. About a month and a half ago I got a schoutedeni puffer. He is currently in a fully planted 29 gallon with a dozen cardinal tetras and a dozen habrosus corys. The first month of having him he was a voracious eater. Whether it was small chunks of organic night crawlers, live blackworms, krill, snails, bloodworms, or Dubia roaches, he went right after it. During the first month I also treated him with two round of prazi pro, which didn’t seem to bother him or affect his appetite at all. Over this last week or two, however, he has become increasingly picky with his food. At first, he began only going live blackworms and frozen bloodworms, but nothing else. Over the last couple days it has gotten worse and he now won’t take to anything at all. No matter what I drop in, he doesn’t even bat an eye. He seems to be maintaining his weight well considering his lack of eating, which makes me think it isn’t anything internal. He also seems to be doing fine externally, so I am having trouble identifying what’s going on. Ammonia and nitrite are at 0ppm and nitrate is around 5-10ppm. Temperature is 78 degrees F and pH is around 7.5. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!😊 Edited January 28, 2021 by Rudy Mueller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Manifesto Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 Have you tried anything with a shell? like snails or even small clams/shrimp from the grocery store? I believe these puffers have teeth that will grow continually and need something hard to keep it from getting too long, Like a beaver. Maybe his teeth are at that point where he's suffering because of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 it possible he has over grown teeth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph’s Fish and Plants Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 I’m not sure his teeth could’ve grown that quickly and he was on various shelled foods. Try not offering anything for a few days and then put some snails in, see what he does. If you can get a good look at the mouth and see that would help rule out teeth issues 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy Mueller Posted January 29, 2021 Author Share Posted January 29, 2021 As I said, he ate snails prior to this issue. Teeth aren’t overgrown either. I like the idea of fasting for a couple days though! Might also do some more thorough deworming with general cure and levamisole as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landon Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 Hi, Can I ask how this was resolved for you? I'm dealing with a similar issue right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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