The Story of My Crazy Puffs

[sarcare]

Ok, so they maybe are not as crazy as the wild puffs y'all have been bragging on, but my group of puffs have their own little lord of the flies thing going on, which I need advice on.

I honestly had no intention of getting puffers, but the favorite lfs was going out of business and all livestock was 80% off, and the employees were saying that they hadn't found places to dump unpurchased stock. Of course it wasn't because I thought the puffs were cute as can be, with quizical eyes and tiny little bodies with huge attitudes

I have 6-7 (I honestly can't remember) dwarf puffers in an INSANELY convoluted and densly planted/hardscaped 20g long tank. (which is why it is hard to remember how many) The tank is dimly lighted most of the time, with a 13w cf light in a desk lamp at one end, and mostly shadow in the other. It is all algaed over, though I do 50% wc weekly.

Today I switched over to frozen brine shrimp, which brought all the puffers out for the first time in a while. When they came out I noticed some strikingly different colorations and sizes. Several had huge bellies--like they'd swallowed tiny marbles, and one--the largest had a distinct stripe down the center of his round belly. The largest quickly disapeared into the brush and rock, after grabing some food.

Is there a possibility that some hanky panky is going on, or is the large male just king of the jungle and doesn't want to come out?

Also, the tank has some sort of serious algae problem--the wattage on the light isn't high, but it is alo concentrated in one area. Any suggestions? Pics to follow!

[PufferMom]

DPs can be prolific in the right conditions. I'd guess he just wants to digest in peace though. Brine shrimp is fine for an occasional treat but not as a staple. Overfeeding is not good for them. (Sorry if this seems terse, I'm typing one-fingered due to dog in lap).

[sarcare]

It is ok, any info is good. I was feeding them blackworms, but they died--which was a very smelly experience, so I just poped a cube out of the freezer. I thought for 6- 7 fish one cube was a good amount every other day. Is that too much?

Oh, and the bellies were there before the food hit the water, and I'd been feeding them every third or fourth day on the blackworms.

[PufferMom]

DPs should be fed daily with one day a week off, as they are tiny and active. They should be fed enough so that their tummies are slightly rounded, but not bulging. Half a cube would probably be sufficient for 6-7 DPs. When it comes to blackworms, 2 small worms per fish is usually sufficient. Mysis shrimp is also good. The more variety they get, the better.

What happened to your blackworms? How are you keeping them? Mine stay alive for weeks until they are all used up. I keep them in a small covered Tupperware-type container in the fridge with just enough water to cover them, and change the water daily with cold declor water.

[sarcare]

I didn't change the water enough on the blackworms, but I had had them for a couple of months in the fridge. I will try to feed less more often--any tips for cutting the cubes? I no longer have a source for live foods, I got the fish and the food at the same place.

[PufferMom]

I use a big cleaver or knife to hack them in half, although I prefer to get food in sheets rather than cubes. Then I hack them up into a bunch of pieces as soon as I get them home, throw them in a freezer bag, and pull out whatever I need each day. It helps when cutting the cubes to put them on a paper plate or small towel so when you whack at it, its less likely to go flying across the room. Some use a sturdy knife and a hammer/mallet of some sort to tap through it.

[Aussie_hippie_2]

Just watch out, I know for bloodworms at least you can develop an allergic reaction after handling. I can no longer hold them with out my hand turning into a small hive and itching.