An Apple a Day, Keeps my fishy happy anyway

[samhon]

Dear friends,

My fahaka has been missing his apple snail

thus his teeth is a bit long for my comfort

I reside in the east, though I know C328 has apple snails, but its also a bit far my my comfort.

I was wondering if NA or colourful has apples snails, any fellow brothers been there recently can give a shout out?

I am also thinking of adding a school of fish to keep my fahaka busy, cruel it may sound to some, but I have seen fahaka existing with schools of tetra who have gotten to fast and smart for it. They even swim next to the fahaka and eat the remaining bits of snails/ MP that the fahaka did not devour. Any recommendations? Anyway it's just a thought. Dun report me to SPCA

[Quixotic]

Sam, since your puffers need them, perhaps you want to consider breeding the Apple snails to save the hassle and have a constant supply for your fish?

I am not sure how often the Apple snails are stocked, but based on my trips to the LFS, there seems to be less and less of them in stock (I could be wrong though).

[Magnum-]

My ex-fahaka has gradually learnt to share its space and meals with his tankmates, including schools of tetras,rasboras, barbs and clown loaches except shrimps, cause its his favourite food. He hunts high and low for shrimps. It will take much lesser interest in them once its older or bigger, but it will be greatly dependent on the individual personality of your Fahaka. Mine was a very mild fella and it is really great to see a planted tank full of community fish and a big and beautiful fahaka as the show stopper

[Freshman]

Hi,
how big is your fahaka?

What have you been feeding it? Only apple snail?

You can consider market prawn with shell or flower crab legs - these 'hard' food is good for their teeth. Mine haven't eaten snails for quite a few weeks. Nowadays it is mainly just pellets & market prawn with shells. You can give it some coral chips also. It will chew on it. I guess it knows how to take care of its teeth.

Just bought some apple snails from Y618. If they don't breed by end of this month then I will feed them to my puffer.

As for tank mates, I think it depends on individual puffer's temperament. Some don't tolerate anyone near. Anyway, you can consider some tiger barbs - tried before.. and it works for a few months only.. hehe

[Quixotic]

If you intend to keep other fish with puffers, then I would think tank size would also be crucial. There will be much less predation in a 8 feet tank comparatively with a 4 feet tank because of the space available.

[samhon]

hi Quixy and Freshie,

I have tried breeding Appy Snails, but it never worked, and you kinda grow to love them and you aren't able to bear to see them being torn up .... I am a softie. Any tips on breeding them?

To Freshie,

My baby is about 11 inches long, residing in a 6 feet tank, so it really is kinda sad to see such a big tank with one fish. Been feeding it with MP, but doesnt seem to grind his teeth, thrown in some mussels, he doesnt touch them. Tried the tie a coral chip on string and play with it, it just give me the " I am no longer a 3 year old look" and refuse to bite the coral chip.

To Magnum,

I have seen your fahaka before, if i didnt remember wrongly it was on utube. He was a magnificent one. And I hope my Humphrey would learn to live in a community like yours!

God bless

[Freshman]

wow! 6 ft tank.
Any photos to share with us?
How long does it take to grow to 11inches?

Maybe you consider some tiger barbs. They should be able to swim/hide around in this big tank.

Is your puffer's teeth very long that it obstruct feeding? If so, then perhaps you have to manually trim it down.
Else, then feeding crayfish/snails/flowercrabs legs/MP w shells & also coral chips .. all these hard food will do to keep the teeth in check.

Breeding apple snail is quite easy.
Give them cool clean water, ample food, some coral chips and some tank wall to lay their eggs. I breed them a few times. Harvested a few hundred tiny babies. But only a quarter made it to 1inch size. Subsequently all ended up in my puffer stomach. Hahaha

[gemo82]

Aiyoh. Lucky I read this post and did a search on puffers to find out that they are generally not compatible with other tank mates. Saw them at LFS, so small and adorable, and my friend told me they help keep snails under control, without telling me they keep shrimps and other small fishes "under control" too!!

[gemo82]

Okay loaches eat snails too. My problem solved. Still a newbie, pardon me.

[Ah_ZhaN]

samhon,

For an 11 inches of Fahaka, you can readily find lots of alternatives for it to consume. You can try crayfish (tiny & cheap lobsters) and observe the interesting behavioral between the crayfish and the puffer.

Large size puffer usually can't be bothered with smaller fish anymore. You can try zebra danios which school and swim extremely fast.

[mono_ricky]

he wun feed life food as far as i know him in person. snails is the best that he can do.

[PlAnTaNoOb]

samhon,

Large size puffer usually can't be bothered with smaller fish anymore. You can try zebra danios which school and swim extremely fast.

If given enough time, the danios might get eaten up too. I've had 5 zebra danios dissapearing at a rate of 1 per night in my birchir tank.

[Ah_ZhaN]

Bichir is a nocturnal hunter. They will tend to feed on any livestocks that can fit into their mouth, so be wary of what tank mates you chose to put into your bichir's tank.

[samhon]

he wun feed life food as far as i know him in person. snails is the best that he can do.

O.o

Anyway I have added in 50 ghost shrimps and 22 harlequin.

My Fahaka seems to be unwell, it no longer hunts the shrimps, totally left the harlequins alone (thank God)

Now I have to force feed it with MP, ie, hold MP with pincers and constantly try to push it into his mouth, then he will grudgingly swallow.

Wonder what is wrong with him, been doing this for the last 2 weeks

[Freshman]

force feed

Have you tested the various water parameters?
What is the color/shape of the puffer shit? or Does it shit?
What have you done so far to heal it? Any medication added?

[samhon]

feces are not stringy or white, so it shouldnt be internal bacteria

water parameters should be ok as i do water changes regularly, with newly added Purigen, Cherry Shirmps in the tank have also been multiplying, so i doubt water parameters is a problem


I soak my MP in this rotation

Day 1

soaked in fresh garlic puree

Day 2

soaked in mild solution of pimafix

Day 3

no feed

Day 4

soaked in vitamins by Ocean Free

this is what i have done so far in terms of trying to improve its situation

[Freshman]

Hi,
possible to take a photo of it?

does it still swim around actively?
does it still respond to external movement?

How often do you feed it? I think once or twice a week is sufficient.

Any sunken belly? Any color change?

[samhon]

it isnt active like it used to be anymore

and yes it does react to environment like when i force feed it, but now i do see ghost shrimps riding on his back ....

no sunken belly

will try to post a pic

thanks for your help

[Freshman]

Inactive fahaka is indeed a worrying sign.

I seriously think you should stop force feeding the puffer. I think it is stressful and perhaps not what the puffer want at the moment. I believe there must be a reason why fish stop feeding when it is sick. Perhaps they need energy to combat the disease within than spending it on digesting food?

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Btw, is your fahaka a male or female?
Mine will become quite inactive before laying eggs. but it happens quite irregularly What I observe is usually after a few weeks of good meals.

Anyway, do keep the water in tip top condition. (suggest you to test the parameters)
More frequent small amount of water change.
Increase aeration.
Avoid unnecessary external stimulation.

Good luck.