we need a change in diet.

[reefer@zoom]

What I have is a 120 long FOWLR tank. It houses all of the adults I had in a 90gal and 30 gal.like 2 years ago which are..a 5in. domino damsel,a 8in. hippo tang, a 5in. picaso triggerand last but not least a 7in.but 5in. around dogfaced puffer.i know everyone is saying thaw and stain the brine but the puffer will not eat it. he will eat crawdads all day long and chunks of food. the rest will eat whatever inculding raw shrimp from the grocery store.I need help with feeding the dogfaced puffer.I feed him large chunks of brine and the skimmer goes nuts.

[reefer@zoom]

What I really need to know is how much to feed and when?

[leebca]

Those fishes have outgrown that tank. They need more space. In fact, about one or the two smallest of those belong in that tank.

Feeding advice and info is given here: Feeding Marine Fish and Fish Nutrition

Brine shrimp, flake, and pellet foods are about the worst foods to choose for marine fishes. There are other choices that almost as bad. If you will take the time and go through the above linked post you'll understand the reason for this statement.

Puffers that are large should eat about once every 5 to 7 days. They need 'whole' food -- food that include head, body, guts, etc. of the marine lifeform being fed. This is covered in the above post in more detail.

Any starving fish will eat voraciously - like a pig. A fish is starving when it is not getting the proper nutrition in the food being provided. A fish in captivity has no choice in what to eat. So we have to be careful about food choices and be sure to supplement with fat and vitamin supplements.

[reefer@zoom]

so I should go with crayfish for the puffer. Really only one per 5days?I'm sorry it's hard he beg's?LOL

[Steve McKay]

so I should go with crayfish for the puffer. Really only one per 5days?I'm sorry it's hard he beg's?LOL

Then let him beg. Read the link Lee gave you and treat your fish like a member of your family.

[leebca]

Feed the Puffer only foods from the sea. They are on a strict seafood diet!

Crayfish are from freshwaters. So the answer is 'No.'

[reefer@zoom]

I had no Idea about the crayfish not being good for him. Steve helped me with the the tang by saying brown alge which is pretty cheap and the trigger is eating it and the damsil so thats a step in the right direction.What should I feed other then that,I can get frozen krill,I'm lost..What would you feed them?I will read the link you in depth and go from there.

[Steve McKay]

I had no Idea about the crayfish not being good for him. Steve helped me with the the tang by saying brown alge which is pretty cheap and the trigger is eating it and the damsil so thats a step in the right direction.What should I feed other then that,I can get frozen krill,I'm lost..What would you feed them?I will read the link you in depth and go from there.

Get freeze dried krill it's pretty good,I tried it myself and it tastes good. And I'm not joking.

[reefer@zoom]

Thats alot of info.It get most of it except for the puffer. Are you saying I should buy stuff like hermit crabs and saltwater animals to feed him? I feed him frozen krill sometimes.I plan on switching him over to that full time.Anyway He is about 7in. long about 5years old.I can handle letting him beg for food if you can tell me how much to feed him and what whould be the best for him.

[reefer@zoom]

I did get the freeze dried Krill from tetra but it says for fresh or saltwater.The link said no to that.

[reefer@zoom]

Whatever Steve I almost tried it.Where is parrothead when I need him..lol

[Steve McKay]

I did get the freeze dried Krill from tetra but it says for fresh or saltwater.The link said no to that.

First of all krill comes from the ocean, it is quite safe for saltwater fish.

Secondly, I suggest you wait for Parrot.

[reefer@zoom]

I was ready to taste it myself..lol and thank you for the help with the thumbnails I got it now.I swear I tried that yesterday and it didn't work.

[reefer@zoom]

You said it tasted good.LOLI'm kidding around.;;

[reefer@zoom]

really I did taste it kind bland.LOL

[reefer@zoom]

Now I see..Guaranteed Analysis!..Got it and thanks.

[leebca]

There are prepared foods for saltwater fishes that are frozen. Just read the ingredients.

You can find a lot of good foods in a large seafood grocery store -- you don't have to buy marine life forms from your LFS for feeding our fishes.

[reefer@zoom]

The tetra FD krill has Vitamin E in it.I think I seen that one that link you sent.I know that just a start.What about Raw shrimp from the grocery store?My tang and Trigger will eat it but the puffer won't.The brown alge is cheap and my fish were going nut's over it now they are actualy getting full.. lol

[leebca]

Try to vary the color of the macro algae. Follow these guidelines: How To Feed Macro Alage to Marine Fishes

Raw shrimp tails is good, but remember they are not a 'whole food.' Some is okay, but not a steady diet.

[reefer@zoom]

Now that link gave me insight.That is one thing I never took into concept.How in the wild these fish travel.I think of it whales and stuff but not the smaller fish..Hum..