So I ordered a Valentini Puffer...

TinyChocobo · Mar 5, 2018

I've wanted a puffer for soooo long and I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a Valentini Puffer.

He should be here tomorrow sometime in the AM. I'm excited. I ordered him from LiveAquaria.

That said I need to brush up on my research on feeding - any tips or suggestions? I was thinking I would thaw out some frozen mysis shrimp for him and figured I'd acclimate him and leave him lights out for most of the day and then try feeding him some shrimp in the evening.

eatbreakfast · Mar 5, 2018

They're pretty easy and readily take most foods offered.

EmdeReef · Mar 5, 2018

Congrats! They're great with lots of character. IME they eat like pigs but should offer them chunkier pieces of food, squid pieces of shrimp, clams on a shell etc. Also keep in mind their teeth grow so will have to figure out a food that can help them wear down the teeth. I kept one many years ago and can't recall what I used for that, I'm sure someone will have ideas. Good luck!

TinyChocobo · Mar 5, 2018

eatbreakfast said:
They're pretty easy and readily take most foods offered.

I was reading that you have to give them some harder foods to keep their teeth from growing out too much. I did also read they're pretty easy but I'm worried just because I've looked forward to a puffer for so long

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eatbreakfast · Mar 5, 2018

They will bite live rock to keep their teeth down on their own.

TinyChocobo · Mar 5, 2018

EmdeReef said:
Congrats! They're great with lots of character. IME they eat like pigs but should offer them chunkier pieces of food, squid pieces of shrimp, clams on a shell etc. Also keep in mind their teeth grow so will have to figure out a food that can help them wear down the teeth. I kept one many years ago and can't recall what I used for that, I'm sure someone will have ideas. Good luck!

Yeah I mostly wanted a puffer I think because of their personalities. I also got a Yellow Tang but I'm not nearly as excited about that as I am the puffer

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I knew/know about the teeth and that's one of my bigger concerns. As far as eating like pigs - that's fine with me - I eat like a pig too so we should get along fine.

That said I wonder if there's any way to tell male from female so I can name the puffer appropriately...

TinyChocobo · Mar 5, 2018

eatbreakfast said:
They will bite live rock to keep their teeth down on their own.

Cool cool.

I have heard mixed stories about being reef safe - I don't have any coral [yet] but worst case if he/she isn't coral friendly I'll just have to set up a puffer tank

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Eva Rose · Mar 5, 2018

I have been very happy with my bluespotted puffer. I love the toby puffers. You will really enjoy your Valentini. They quickly learn to recognize their owners/food source & beg for food

TinyChocobo · Mar 5, 2018

Eva Rose said:
I have been very happy with my bluespotted puffer. I love the toby puffers. You will really enjoy your Valentini. They quickly learn to recognize their owners/food source & beg for food

They're very smart is what I understand about them

. I'm excited.

TinyChocobo · Mar 6, 2018

He was DOA

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ReefMeUpScotty · Apr 22, 2018

TinyChocobo said:
He was DOA .

That sucks :/ did you ever get a replacement?

CindyKz · Apr 22, 2018

Oh no! I hope you contacted LA. They are a great company.

My valentini is in a 32 biocube with a couple other fish, soft corals and a few inverts. He does snack on some of the snails, but leaves the corals and other fish alone. He (idk if it's really a he) is pretty chill honestly.

I hand feed him clams on the half shell a couple times a week for his teeth. If I just drop them in the tank he picks out the soft stuff, so I hold it in a way that makes him bite on the shell. I don't know if it actually helps.

ReefMeUpScotty · Apr 22, 2018

CindyKz said:
...My valentini is in a 32 biocube with a couple other fish, soft corals and a few inverts. He does snack on some of the snails, but leaves the corals and other fish alone. He (idk if it's really a he) is pretty chill honestly.

I hand feed him clams on the half shell a couple times a week for his teeth. If I just drop them in the tank he picks out the soft stuff, so I hold it in a way that makes him bite on the shell. I don't know if it actually helps.

Good to know about feeding them clams. I just picked up a little Valentini Puffer today and he’s acclimating currently! He’s already watching my dog run around and seems to be full of personality. I’ve always wanted a puffer and I’m hoping I still have some coral left after a few days *fingers crossed* if he eats my favorite jack o lantern lepto ill be sad and maybe the eagle eye zoas... ok and my frogspawn lol but I’ll forgive him(her?)