Figure 8 Puffer Diet
- In the wild, these fishes eat mollusks and crustaceans.
- You can even give them flake or dried frozen fish foods which are easily available in the market.
- To meet their nutritional need you must include hard-shelled food in their diet which will keep the teeth ground down.
What do you feed a figure 8 puffer?
Instead, they must be fed on meaty and hard-shelled foods such as clams, crayfish, crickets, daphnia, krill, oysters, plankton, scallops, snails, shrimp, and worms. Because the nutcracker-like beak of the figure 8 puffer can become overgrown, it is important to include plenty of very hard-shelled foods in their diet to keep the teeth ground down.
What is the care level of a puffer fish?
Figure 8 Puffer Fish Care. Scientific Name : Tetraodon biocellatus. Common Names : Figure eight puffer, Eyespot pufferfish, F8 puffer. Care Level : Moderate. Size : 3" (8 cm) pH : 7.6 - 8.3. Specific Gravity : does best in brackish of 1.005-1.008 SG. Temperature :78-82 F (25-28 C)
What is the best food for puffers?
Figure 8 Puffer Fish. Snails are excellent for this, as well as clams and other hard crustaceans still in their shells. Other good foods for them are things such as bloodworms, blackworms, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, etc. Puffers appreciate a complex layout of decor to explore, as well as ample swimming room.
What is an 8 puffer fish?
It’s a protective mechanism — it’s more difficult to swallow a large fish than a little one. The figure 8 puffer comes from fresh waters and in brackish streams and estuaries of Southeast Asia, consisting of Borneo, the Malaysian peninsula, Sumatra, and Thailand.
What is the best food for puffer fish?
What do puffer fish eat? Puffers should be fed a carnivorous diet of pellets and freeze-dried and frozen foods, along with chopped squid, clams, shrimp and krill. Larger puffers should be offered shelled foods, like mussels, to help wear down their continuously growing teeth.
Can you keep a figure 8 puffer in freshwater?
Figure 8 Puffer Habitat and Care They originate in the fresh waters of Southeast Asia, and although they tolerate brackish or even full saltwater, they may fare better in freshwater.
How many snails should I feed my figure 8 puffer?
5:508:44Feeding My Figure 8 Puffer "Butterbean" His Ramshorn SnailsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDo try to feed him at least once a week with. Some hard shelled snails puffers have very hardMoreDo try to feed him at least once a week with. Some hard shelled snails puffers have very hard specialized teeth they're more like teeth plates.
Where can I buy figure 8 puffer food?
In the wild, they feed on clams and snails, which keeps tooth growth in check. In captivity, they must have shelled fish in the diet, or their teeth can grow out of control. The Figure 8 puffer size can be up to 3 inches. In captivity, they can live up to 18 years of age, longer than many four-legged pets.
Can 2 figure 8 puffers live together?
If keeping multiple figure 8 puffers together, it would be best to start them out together as juveniles and let them grow up together. Older puffers may not tolerate the addition of new puffer tankmates.
How long do figure 8 puffers live?
With a salinity of between 1.005 and 1.008 specific gravity (S.G.), the lifespan of this species has been as long as 15 years. As with all puffer fish, they require a complex aquarium set up consisting of many nooks and crannies. This helps figure 8 puffers to behave as they would in nature, and reduce boredom.
Do puffer fish need brackish water?
This puffer fish can be found throughout African and Asia in freshwater and brackish environments. In the home aquarium, this species does best in a brackish tank with plenty of plants and hiding places. When they are still juveniles, this species can tolerate freshwater but mature puffers need a brackish environment.
Do figure 8 puffers puff up?
The figure 8 pufferfish can also puff up to two or three times their original size by inflating their stomach with air or water. Puffers typically do this when threatened, although they've been seen puffing up in home aquariums for seemingly no reason as well; still, this behavior should not be encouraged.
Can Green spotted puffers live with figure 8 puffers?
0:213:39Meet the Puffers - Green Spot, and Figure 8 Puffer Fish - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd the figure eights. But the green spotteds require slightly higher salinity. So these guys areMoreAnd the figure eights. But the green spotteds require slightly higher salinity. So these guys are going to start at about 1.005. And then as an adult they're going to be at 1.018.
Do figure 8 puffers eat snails?
0:065:37Figure 8 Puffer Eating Snails (Tetraodon Biocellatus) Brackish TankYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFigure eight puffer feed on some snails.MoreFigure eight puffer feed on some snails.
Will figure 8 puffer eat ghost shrimp?
1:172:03Figure 8 Puffer Eating a Ghost Shrimp in my Brackish Tank. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHit the puffer is basically taking the opportunity to eat the shrimp now that it's dead. So I thinkMoreHit the puffer is basically taking the opportunity to eat the shrimp now that it's dead. So I think my long-lived ghost shrimp probably the longest lived ghost shrimp ever of nearly.
How much does a figure 8 puffer fish cost?
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Can you feed ghost shrimp to puffers?
You can also feed them the ghost shrimp. I had a figure eight puffer who loved snacking on them.
Is a puffer a carnivore?
Puffers are carnivores, and lots of carnivore staple dry foods are on the market. You may want to check Hikari branded food. The dry foods are formulated to provide complete nutrition.
Can you put mister puffer in another aquarium?
Maybe you could put mister puffer in another aquarium then bait snails out of the existing aquarium and feed them to him. A ten gallon would be suitable housing for several small puffers. People who keep them say puffers are one of the most interesting of aquarium fish.
What is a Figure 8 puffer fish?
Figure 8 puffer is a very colorful and beautiful fish. Many people love to keep them in Aquariums for display. These fishes are very easy to maintain and look gorgeous in the guest room. If you are also thinking of petting these fishes then in the above article you will get all the necessary details. I have mentioned the size, lifespan, and important facts about the pufferfishes. You will also get to know about their diet and nutritional needs. Not only this I have even specified the tank temperature, pH, and water hardness level for your reference. After reading the article I am sure that you will get all the information about the Figure 8 puffer.
Why are Figure 8 pufferfish so attractive?
Figure 8 pufferfish are very attractive and it’s hard to resist them bringing home. These cute and engaging pufferfish are very easy to maintain which makes them a good choice for keeping in Aquarium. Their compact size and friendly, curious, and entertaining nature make them more desirable. Do you know why these fishes must be kept in a school of at least 8 pufferfishes? It’s so that they don’t get bored. To know more such interesting things about them keep reading the article to know all the important information and details on the figure 8 puffer.
How big do pufferfish get?
The pufferfish grow up to 8 cm or 3.1 inches long as an adult. The growth of the pufferfishes is very fast and even the baby puffer grows half-inch in two months.
How long do pufferfish live?
The lifespan of figure 8 puffer salinity is surprisingly very long and can be up to 15 years. In captivity, their lifespan isn’t much and they need an attractive and engaging aquarium to keep them entertained and away from boredom. For the pufferfish to live longer you need to maintain proper conditions in the aquarium and take appropriate care.
How do you know if a pufferfish is a female or male?
It is very difficult to determine the gender of these fishes. You can know it only when a pufferfish lays the egg.
Why do puffers puff up?
Figure 8 puffer puffed up when they find a threat or are frightened. They do this to protect themselves from predators.
How big is a figure 8 fish?
The figure 8 max size is about 3.1 inches or 8 cm long as an adult. These fishes grow very fast and even the baby puffers grow about ½ inch in just a period of two months.
How do you know if a puffer fish is a figure 8?
The name is derived from the markings on the back of the fish, many of which resemble the shape of a figure 8. Even when not startled, all figure 8 puffers have a roly-poly appearance; you can easily spot a well-fed puffer by its rounded belly.
What snails are good for a figure 8 puffer?
Because the nutcracker-like beak of the figure 8 puffer can become overgrown, it is important to include plenty of very hard-shelled foods in their diet to keep the teeth ground down. Tetraodon snails or pond snails are terrific for this purpose.
What do puffers eat?
The dietary needs of figure 8 puffers are perhaps one of the more demanding aspects of keeping this fish. In nature, they typically eat crustaceans and mollusks. Flake or dried foods do not meet their dietary needs.
Why are pufferfish called pufferfish?
Pufferfish derive their name from their ability to inflate themselves with water or air when startled . This is a very successful defensive mechanism because it's harder to swallow a fish that's ballooning in size!
What is the color of pufferfish?
They are deep brown in color on the upper portion of the body with white on the underside. Yellow spots and lines are sprinkled throughout the body.
Where do puffer fish come from?
The figure 8 puffer originates in the brackish (partial salinity) streams and estuaries of Southeast Asia, including Borneo, the Malaysian peninsula, Sumatra, and Thailand. Although these fish do not breed in captivity, they have not as yet been overfished for the trade and are not considered to be a threatened species.
Why do fish have hard shelled teeth?
These teeth grow throughout the life of the fish and must get ground down to keep them from being too long. For this reason, they need hard-shelled foods to help keep their teeth the proper length.
What to feed puffer pigs?
Snails are excellent for this, as well as clams and other hard crustaceans still in their shells. Other good foods for them are things such as bloodworms, blackworms, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, etc.
What tank mate does a Figure 8 puffer have?
The question of tank mates for the Figure 8 Puffer is open to debate. Some have reported at least short-term success with mollies, bumblebee gobies, and others. But really most fish will be pestered and nipped often. Also, an adult sailfin molly gets very large and will usually end up bullying the puffer instead of the other way around. Really the best thing to do is to keep a singleton, but groups of them can usually work if enough space and hiding places are provided.
How much space does a Figure 8 puffer need?
Figure 8's are a better choice for most aquarists than the GSP because their requirements are easier to meet. These puffers will only grow to about half the size of a GSP, thus they need only half the space. 15 gallons is sufficient for one puffer, with 10 gallons more for each additional puffer.
What are some good tank mates for a puffer?
Puffer Tank Mates : Best kept alone, can often be kept with other figure eights. Other possible tank mates include brackish gobies such as the bumblebee or mollies, but success is not very likely.
What is a Figure 8 puffer?
The Figure 8 Puffer looks like young Green Spotted Puffers with unusual patterns, but they are truly very different fish with very different requirements. Figure 8's are a better choice for most aquarists than the GSP because their requirements are easier to meet.
Can sailfin molly bully puffer?
Also, an adult sailfin molly gets very large and will usually end up bullying the puffer instead of the other way around. Really the best thing to do is to keep a singleton, but groups of them can usually work if enough space and hiding places are provided.
Can GSP and F8 be kept together?
Also, some people say that F8's and GSP's can be kept together, but this is not a good idea. Not only do they have very different salinity requirements, but when the GSP gets larger and much more aggressive the Figure Eight will likely be bullied and picked on constantly.
How to keep a figure 8 puffer fish?
As is recommended with all fish, figure 8 puffers must be placed into a fully cycled tank, with no ammonia or nitrites and low nitrates (under 20 ppm). Although mostly found in fresh water, it has been found that Tetraodon biocellatus is best kept in a low-end brackish setup with a specific gravity (SG) of around 1.005 to 1.008. If kept in fresh water, their immune systems are compromised, causing disease and early death for fish that can live into their late teens. The longest-lived figure 8 puffer kept in brackish water was documented at more than 18 years old!
How many gallons of water should I give my puffer fish?
The first rule to remember: larger is always better when it comes to aquariums for these puffers—remember, they like to swim! I recommend 10 gallons for every extra puffer you may want to add. Also, a longer tank will give them more swimming room than a tall tank.
How to tell if a puffer fish is healthy?
Ask to see the figure 8 puffers eat and check for ich on the body and fins (ich looks like salt has been shaken on the fish). If it eats, doesn’t look emaciated, swims actively and otherwise looks generally healthy, that’s the puffer for you. Puffers can be easily treated with API Melafix for bites and frayed fins and heal quickly in a clean, cycled tank. Be sure the person catching your fish scoops it out with a container, not a net, because if the puffer puffs out of water, it can fill with air that it cannot expel on its own. This can become deadly for the puffer, unless the air is “burped” from the fish’s stomach.
What is the name of the puffer that has eyespots?
Biocellatus actually means eyespot. Figure 8 puffers only grow to around 3 inches. If you hear of one that is much larger than that size, you can assume it is actually the Ceylon puffer (T. fluviatilis), which closely resembles the figure 8 puffer in body pattern, except for spots on its belly and its much larger adult size.
How old is the longest lived puffer?
The longest-lived figure 8 puffer kept in brackish water was documented at more than 18 years old! Tetraodon biocellatus specimens are found in slowly moving or standing freshwater habitats from Borneo to Thailand.
What is the best hydrometer for brackish fish?
SeaTest and Instant Ocean are two suggested brands of hydrometers that start at 1.000. If you are adding the fish from fresh water to your already established brackish tank, you can drip-acclimate the fish with an air hose knotted so it drips your tank water into a bucket with the water the fish came in, until the salt levels in the bucket match the salt levels inside your brackish tank.
What is a figure 8 puffer?
It is one of the most colorful of the puffer species, keeping its beautiful markings into adulthood. The figure 8 puffer is friendly, personable and entertaining. And it stays small enough to keep a single specimen in a 15-gallon fish aquarium.
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Distribution and habitat
Appearance
Behavior
- Puffers are not well suited to a community tank because they tend to be aggressive. Even puffers that have previously been docile can become aggressive as they age, or if they are not well fed. A puffer can turn on its tankmates and chew them to pieces. On the other hand, most owners have found figure 8 puffers more peaceful than any other puffers and some have successfully kept th…
Habitat
- Ideally, figure 8 puffers should be kept alone or in a large aquarium with only a few other fish that thrive in the same habitat. Owners who have kept them in brackish water find that bumblebee gobies, knight gobies, and mollies are suitable companions. Owners keeping them in freshwater aquariums have reported keeping them with fish such as barbs, sharks, and tetras. In these case…
Symptoms
- Unlike most fish, Figure 8 puffers are able to recognize and respond to their owners, but they can also get bored. As a result, they require ample open space to swim, but also need places to hide and explore. They can be hard on plants, due to aggressively attacking their food, which often falls on plants and other aquarium décor. Decorate the tank with sturdy plants, and be aware that yo…
Diet
- The dietary needs of figure 8 puffers are perhaps one of the more demanding aspects of keeping this fish. Flake or dried foods do not meet their dietary needs. Instead, they must be fed meaty and hard-shelled foods such as clams, crayfish, crickets, daphnia, krill, mollusks, oysters, plankton, scallops, snails, shrimp, and worms. Because the beak o...
Reproduction
- Even for experts, it is nearly impossible to sex figure 8 puffers. The most certain way to sex them is to see the female lay eggs, which is an extremely rare occurrence. Only a few cases of spawning in captivity have been reported.
Breeding
- Little is known about how to breed figure 8 puffers. In the rare occasions they have spawned in captivity, they have laid eggs on a flat surface, such as the substrate. The male guards the fish for approximately a week until the fry are free-swimming.