Puffer eating clownfish

[my2rotties]

I will never go to that store again. I usually don't but hubby had to pick up pipe fittings and that was the only place that had them that he knew of. He saw Gryphon, and knew I would love him. I asked many questions and asked if my other fish were safe. I was going to go with a smaller puffer, but this guy seemed so special, not only due to his size. His colouring, eye brightness and general health far surpassed any of the others.

Shoot me a PM and let me know what store you are from...

Originally Posted by fishytime

I for 1 dont blame you at all.....I blame the person who sold you the fish. Wouldnt have happened in our shop. You would have been asked what other fish you had and what you planed to keep it with. Then you would have been informed of most everything you are being told here. If you were intent on buying the fish at least your decision to do so would have been an informed one.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Why would you take it from the ocean AND feed it a horrible diet?

You said you used to feed your puffer goldfish, not that you used to give him goldfish treats. Either way its wrong and when someone is relatively new to the hobby don't give them advice like that unless your clear about it.

For entertainment my friend, the same reason I setup and anyone else sets up a saltwater tank, not because its the humane thing to do. And like I said it wasn't the diet.

I never told anyone to feed their puffer anything, I simply made the point that puffers will most certainly eat other fish which seems to be related to the topic. So I'm not sure why you would say what I said was wrong?

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by sphelps

For entertainment my friend, the same reason I setup and anyone else sets up a saltwater tank, not because its the humane thing to do. And like I said it wasn't the diet.

I never told anyone to feed their puffer anything, I simply made the point that puffers will most certainly eat other fish which seems to be related to the topic. So I'm not sure why you would say what I said was wrong?

You inadvertently did give that advice. At least someone (I know I took it that way) could mistake your comment for being advice on feeding a puffer. I just think you could have been more clear and actually have included some details...like it was a treat maybe.

All I did was make sure people understood how horrible of a diet that would be. The you cleared it up but started an argument instead of leaving it at that. Sure taking fish form the ocean is worse than feeding them a bad diet by why would you even go there...you knew that was not my point. I have no problem with fish coming from the ocean or I would not be in this hobby.

I think you do an amazing job with your tanks and people respect your opinions. That makes it even more important that you are clear. I did get a PM right after that BTW asking how to feed goldfish to puffers and another asking if it was ok to do.

I agree to a point with this posters views on keeping large fish but I have to agree, I couldn't do it myself if I felt quite so strongly about it.

My opinion is that there are species that should not ever be in LFS unless someone orders them specially. I also think every other species should be brought in as small as possible and safe. There is generally an ideal size for most species. For example I would say porcs should only be brought in 5" and under. Or...Naso Tangs, again under 5" or so. There is a huge difference between a fish that has be "raised" in a tank and one that has grown in the ocean. The younger the fish, the better they adapt generally.

I do not blame LFS for this alone by any means. I said earlier about that large tang that if it sits there and no one buys it, I bet the owner will not bring them in again. I think I said it would be ashame for it to die but it would also save many others...in theory anyways. It all stems form the collectors and lack of collection laws.

My father lives in Singapore and dives almost weekly throughout South Asia. I go a few times a year to join him and the **** you see go on down there would probably make most of you feel terrible about how you fish get here. The large fish are the worst to see.

Anyways, I do kind of agree that the original poster has a lot to sort out about how they feel about captive fish. This is not the hobby for you if you don't feel most fish are doing well in aquariums. Its a selfish hobby and you have to be ok with that. But I also think some people are being a little harsh with there crazy drawings and all out attack. Im not saying you are though, sphelps.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by my2rotties

Do they die when you put them in salt water? I would guess that would be "yes". He really loves to hunt but most fish would be hard to catch. The clowns and dartfish are fine now, but they probably won't sleep at night for a LONG time. Gryphon really has it out for the damsel fish but that won't be happening anytime soon. The damsel is way bigger then the clowns so I shudder at how he will eat it if he gets a lucky shot.

How do you feed them goldfish? I better not be getting any orange fish after that as well.

Well he almost got the maroon clown he is much faster then I gave him credit for... I love having my desk beside the tank I don't miss much.

They'll live for about 30min in saltwater. The puffer I had was quick and persistent when he wanted to be, it really was surprising and pretty cool.
I just put the gold fish directly in the tank, about 2 min later they were gone and the tank would be full of gold flakes

[fishoholic]

I gave 2 three striped damsels to my friend who has puffers, triggers and lion fish. I warned her they were elusive evil little buggers, she warned me they would probably be lunch. I believe (and her puffers had eaten other small fish before) after 4-5 months all that happened with the damsels is that they would pester her trigger! She ended up rehomeing them, I don't know what'll happen with your damsel but it might live for awhile yet!

[stingray paradise]

with time you will be able to train them on squid shrimp mussels (seafood medley) is a great combination and ive even got mine eating pellets. but he's a monsterous lazy old fart now. i always enjoyed feeding mussels and crab legs helps keep the teeth short and the crunching sound is great

[my2rotties]

You are making me hungry... the fish gets mussels and crab legs while I go hungry. He has been eating garlic prawns instead of clownfish today, and I am getting jealous. They are MY prawns, but he needs them more then I do. I have Kraft dinner in the pantry. I cannot wait to get some crab legs it will be fun to listen to the crunching. I can bet that is messy, I actually can't imagine until I see it myself.

Originally Posted by stingray paradise

with time you will be able to train them on squid shrimp mussels (seafood medley) is a great combination and ive even got mine eating pellets. but he's a monsterous lazy old fart now. i always enjoyed feeding mussels and crab legs helps keep the teeth short and the crunching sound is great

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Yeap puffers definitely eat fish, I use to feed mine goldfish

Yeah I guess the point was that they eat goldfish... not that Goldfish are healthy.

I also see how this could be misinterpreted to make it seem like Goldfish are a good diet but I don't think that was the point.

At the end of the day I think you both make good points that aren't conflicting.

sphelps: It's cool to see a puffer eat a fish from time to time and gold fish are cheap.

greenspottedpuffer: Goldfish are not a quality food source for a puffer.

[sphelps]

haha, peacekeeper. Well done.

[my2rotties]

I did my research on puffers, but until you have a problem you don't really know what to look for. It is my fault for buying the fish BUT I asked many questions. Danny is a businessman he has bills to pay and told me what he could. He has hundreds of fish but he said he had this guy for at least two months. Having a fish that long I would think you would know a bit about him. I know a lot about this puffer and I have only had him three days...

My big deal with shopping there is just the ethics of bringing in mature reef fish from the wild. He has gorgous corals and beautiful fish... I just think when you are in the best interest of the animals you sell for a living, you would care for their well being. The 16" tang can hardly turn around in his tank. I was told the other one like him went to a 180g tank and that was enough for him... I look at my seven foot wide 260 and think that fish would suffer in what I have. If people, special order these fish that is one thing. For a fish to be stuffed in a little display until some person buys them is another...

If I had the $300 for that fish that night I would have bought him because I feel sorry for him. I would have brought him home and felt sorry for that fish for all the days he managed to eek out a life in my little tank. When we build our tanks, we want joy out of them not sadness. I am glad I posted about it and I am glad others feel as I do. I do not blame Danny but he does have bills to pay... You open a store to make money, support your hobby and make a living out of doing what you love to do. There are other store I have been to where the people honestly care about the fish. They have nothing to lose because if that fish dies they are not out any money at all.

My puffer will always be here, I know I could exchange him for other fish, but he is so happy here. To have a wild fish hunting and doing what he was doing on the reef, means I have succeeded in making him comfortable. He is not a big fish in my tank although he looked gigantic at Danny's. He fits right in, and now I know I need to buy mature tank raised fish that outgrew their owners smaller tanks. I would feel much better about that since the owners care for the fish, and they will be so happy to see them in my tank. I am a newbie BUT I do whatever needs to be done for my fish.

The two clownfish made it through the night, so perhaps others are right... he won't eat another one. He is a very patient hunter though and he might still get his way. He is very fun to watch and I have been neglecting other things in my house gawking at him. I know I made the right choice even though I paid way too much for him. I know if I bought any other I would always think of him.