Caribbean shortnose puffer looking weak

[k_dog345]

So I admittedly brought this guy from the ocean. We've had it for over a week now, and he's tough to feed.

Today during feeding I noticed instead of going for the food it just layed on the Rock and sat there. I've noticed the puffer is prone to getting food stolen from it, and does not eat much from what j see. I've tried blasting the entire tank with food at once so all my other fish are distracted in order to prompt my puffer to feed. But doesn't seem to work

I feed mysis, brine, and pellets.

It hasn't looked too sickly until this evening when I noticed it was laying on the rocks most of the evening. It's looking a bit skinny, minor discoloration.

What should I do? Should I cut my losses and put this poor guy back out in the ocean? Or is there something I can do to get this thing healthy and happy again?

 

[k_dog345]

I should also mention that we lost the youngest high hat that was introduced to the tank from the same spot in the ocean. It was just a little bigger than being a fry, so I was not surprised that it died. And I'm having a hard time getting my rosy blenny to eat too, also from the ocean.

The other members
- two other blennys
- two clowns
- two high hats
- all my inverts and crabs

Are all doing just fine

 

[melypr1985]

You could try silver sides, krill and Live Brine as well. But, my advise is to put him back in the ocean.

 

[Humblefish]

Some puffers really enjoy eating snails, like those small freshwater glass snails. Or something with a shell like a mussel or clam. You can buy them in the seafood dept. of some grocery stores.

I'm gonna move this over to the Predatory Fish forum so those folks can give input as well: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/predatory-fish-discussion.772/

 

[k_dog345]

Thank you guys....ill try those suggestions and set him free if he doesn't start getting better

 

[Mfreddy]

My puffer eats well but goes bat **** crazy over clams. I've been feeding the ones on the half shell but will switch to grocery store ones soon

 

[Humblefish]

I've been feeding the ones on the half shell but will switch to grocery store ones soon

Freeze them before you feed them, just to be sure no lingering parasites survived inside of them.

 

[Mfreddy]

Thanks Humblefish. I should put you on retainer!

 

[k_dog345]

Sadly lost my puffer[emoji24][emoji245][emoji56]

RIP squirt

 

[cu455]

That sucks. It sounds like you live close to the beach. In the future collect your own food and try that. I feed my fish worms, sand crabs, shrimp, shore crabs, silver sides and whatever else I can find. If you are collecting the food from the same location as the puffer you will be feeding exactly what it eats in the wild.

 

[caver]

I have heard shrimp with shells on can anyone suggest what ones at the store to buy

 

[Mfreddy]

I tried littleneck clams and everyone liked them (froze first, thanks Humblefish). I tried mussels and I've never seen the puffer so excited about food. He competes for them and gets every little bit. I give them every other day in addition to a mix of scallop, krill, brine shrimp, garlic and 3 drops of seldom at night in minimal water to make sure it's absorbed.

I have a fat puffer.