Puffer eating clownfish

[midgetwaiter]

Originally Posted by 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.

IMO that's a bit of an over reaction. Puffers and triggers have more individual differences than other fish and that makes it difficult to give advice in this situation. They also have moods.

I've kept many different types of puffers over the years and the only thing I know for sure is that you never know what they are going to do. My Green Spotted puffer killed 6 blue damsels overnight once but never touched another fish in the 12 years I had him. Porcupine puffers are even more moody, I used to maintain a tank that had a 12" one who was a model citizen until he decided to tear a fire clown in half one day. He never did it again.

I wouldn't be surprised if you porc never killed another fish, they aren't naturally Piscivores. I wouldn't be surprised if it did though.

[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]

GSP, I agree with what you're saying but it's up to everyone else to properly interpret any information given online. I can't be held responsible for any wrong interpretation regardless of my experience.

I agree that there should be limits on fish sizes brought in but unfortunately it's not that simple. LFS's know what fish to bring in and for the most part I believe they do there best to bring in what's reasonable. The problem is there are no standards for the actual size of a "small", "med" or "large" fish and it varies from supplier to supplier and you don't always have control to what exactly they ship to you. In a perfect world this would be different but as we all know this world isn't perfect but I for one am willing to except that.

I don't think Wes was personally attacking anyone, I think he's a good hobbyist and simply sticking up for the hobby in general and the people that make it all possible for us, our LFSs.

[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