First Time Feeding Puffer Fiddler Crabs

[Ken Roane]

Fed 5 live fiddler crabs to healthy Puffer one week ago. Last few days not well. Today on bottom, just died. Diamond gobies, bellinies and damsels ok. Could the crabs been a potential issue and was this not the right decision for a feeding addition?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Fed 5 live fiddler crabs to healthy Puffer one week ago. Last few days not well. Today on bottom, just died. Diamond gobies, bellinies and damsels ok. Could the crabs been a potential issue and was this not the right decision for a feeding addition?

I think it is coincidental. There isn’t anything inherent in the crabs that would be an issue. Maybe it pigged out and got an impaction from the bits of shell, but I’ve never seen that happen myself.
Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

Probably constipated from the shell/claws being unable to digest or pass it through.

 

[Ken Roane]

I think it is coincidental. There isn’t anything inherent in the crabs that would be an issue. Maybe it pigged out and got an impaction from the bits of shell, but I’ve never seen that happen myself.
Jay

thanks Jay...I would like to look at the organs for a first time autopsy. Any steps you would take?

 

[Ken Roane]

Probably constipated from the shell/claws being unable to digest or pass it through.

Thanks for the input...how should or shouldn't fiddler crabs be given as a food source?

 

[CMMorgan]

Fed 5 live fiddler crabs to healthy Puffer one week ago. Last few days not well. Today on bottom, just died. Diamond gobies, bellinies and damsels ok. Could the crabs been a potential issue and was this not the right decision for a feeding addition?

I am very sorry for your loss.

 

[Fishpro7897]

I know sometimes if one the crabs was sick sometimes it can make the puffer or any other fish eating them sick

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

thanks Jay...I would like to look at the organs for a first time autopsy. Any steps you would take?

Focus on the digestive track. Start at the throat, and cut it open to the stomach, intestines to the anus. Look for crab shells at any section along the way. The presence of shells themselves isn’t necessarily the problem, but look for shells poking through he tissues or red inflamed tissues.
Jay

 

[Ken Roane]

Focus on the digestive track. Start at the throat, and cut it open to the stomach, intestines to the anus. Look for crab shells at any section along the way. The presence of shells themselves isn’t necessarily the problem, but look for shells poking through he tissues or red inflamed tissues.
Jay

Thank you Jay...I didn't want to do this, feeling bad I may have caused the puffer to die but went ahead and looked at the organs. I felt everything looked very healthy and was surprised at how large the liver was. It was difficult opening up the body and some delicate organs, using an exacto blade was what I had to use. I feel feeding 5 crabs at one time was my ignorance not to do the research first. Being a marine-aquarium hobbyist for years and years and losing my mature puffer like this shows never try a new action without fully understanding what effects and/or consequences may occur.