Waldo ❤️ The Porcupine Puffer

[TommyD1]

Hi everyone,
We have purchased our porcupine puffer (named him Waldo) and he eats good. He ate after day 1 and is doing excellent! I was wondering (because we’ve never had a porcupine puffer; let alone this big) how often should he eat? He will eat about a jumbo shrimp each day if ya put it in there. And his stomach gets full, but the next day, he’s back to normal shape and hungry again. We don’t mind feeding at all, but we were wondering about his health and what is healthier for him? Eating everyday? Every two days? All the help would be much appreciated! Thank you!

 

[AydenLincoln]

Hello Waldo!! He’s very cute and my dream pet!! I’d probably feed him a few times a day and vary the diet. https://www.fishlore.com/profile-porcupinepuffer.htm

 

[exnisstech]

They are very cute wet pets. Do you have any rock in the tank? They should be able have a place to to hide when they want to.

 

[TommyD1]

Hello Waldo!! He’s very cute and my dream pet!! I’d probably feed him a few times a day and vary the diet. https://www.fishlore.com/profile-porcupinepuffer.htm

He says, “Hello!” Back lol. This is wonderful information and thank you for your time so much. Waldo definitely appreciates your help

 

[AydenLincoln]

They are very cute wet pets. Do you have any rock in the tank? They should be able have a place to to hide when they want to.

I was wondering this too!

 

[exnisstech]

I was wondering this too!

I didn't want to be the negative nanny but I see nothing in the tank but sand and artifical decorations which is worrisome to me

 

[TommyD1]

They are very cute wet pets. Do you have any rock in the tank? They should be able have a place to to hide when they want to.

We actually do not. Good idea. He’s in there alone, but I can see where he’d might just want a little home to chill in or not see anyone for a bit. Thank you!

 

[TommyD1]

I was wondering this too!

I definitely answered above Thank you

 

[TommyD1]

I definitely answered above Thank you

Apparently, emojis don’t show up on this site lol! I meant that last message in a very nice way

 

[TommyD1]

I didn't want to be the negative nanny but I see nothing in the tank but sand and artifical decorations which is worrisome to me

Will definitely do. Thank you for the input. That’ll help him feel more at home too

 

[exnisstech]

Will definitely do. Thank you for the input. That’ll help him feel more at home too

It's also a very important part of the biological filtration for a salt water tank. I'm speculating here but how long has the tank been running and what are you using for filtration. With no rock I just don't see it being successful and hope you aren't setting yourself up for failure. It's nothing like a freshwater but maybe you know that and I'm just over stepping my boundaries.

 

[ReefHog]

I’d be interested in your filtration as well. And what size tank? Looks small. He’s gonna need at least a 75 gallon aquarium as he grows. A jumbo shrimp a day is way too much IMO. I feed mine the equivalent of a third of a table shrimp a day size wise. But I also feed clams on the half shell, squid and Nori. I feed with stainless feeding tongs which results in less of a mess and also helps grind his teeth. You’ll want to keep an eye on the ammonia until your biological filtration can handle his waste. I’ve been keeping porcupine puffers for 30 years and they can live a long time if their needs are met.

 

[TommyD1]

It's also a very important part of the biological filtration for a salt water tank. I'm speculating here but how long has the tank been running and what are you using for filtration. With no rock I just don't see it being successful and hope you aren't setting yourself up for failure. It's nothing like a freshwater but maybe you know that and I'm just over stepping my boundaries.

You’re good and I understand you asking. This tank has been going for 10-12 years. It has had many fish in it. We have 2 other tanks as well

 

[jhrightyhein]

Porcupine Puffers are cute water puppies! Love mine his name is Melvin

 

[TommyD1]

Porcupine Puffers are cute water puppies! Love mine his name is Melvin

AWWW! So awesome! I too love Melvin for a name! You’ll have to post a picture All of our marine life is extremely important in every aspect. The bonus is definitely the cuteness lol

 

[The Ginga Ninja]

Hi everyone,
We have purchased our porcupine puffer (named him Waldo) and he eats good. He ate after day 1 and is doing excellent! I was wondering (because we’ve never had a porcupine puffer; let alone this big) how often should he eat? He will eat about a jumbo shrimp each day if ya put it in there. And his stomach gets full, but the next day, he’s back to normal shape and hungry again. We don’t mind feeding at all, but we were wondering about his health and what is healthier for him? Eating everyday? Every two days? All the help would be much appreciated! Thank you!

View attachment 2816558 View attachment 2816559 View attachment 2816560 View attachment 2816561

Looking good Waldo!

I personally would feed him little bits of that jumbo shrimp (or whatever you're feeding him) every day, otherwise they can get hungry and that's when they can start to get wild ideas about it's neighbors in the tank...

 

[Mafbrand]

I’d be interested in your filtration as well. And what size tank? Looks small. He’s gonna need at least a 75 gallon aquarium as he grows. A jumbo shrimp a day is way too much IMO. I feed mine the equivalent of a third of a table shrimp a day size wise. But I also feed clams on the half shell, squid and Nori. I feed with stainless feeding tongs which results in less of a mess and also helps grind his teeth. You’ll want to keep an eye on the ammonia until your biological filtration can handle his waste. I’ve been keeping porcupine puffers for 30 years and they can live a long time if their needs are met.

i Just recently got another Porky after having had to euthinize my other one last year after having had her for 20 years!

 

[C4ctus99]

Dang, didn’t know porcupine puffers were so common in the hobby. They are native to where I live, caught one fishing once, never thought about keeping them. Will they eat crabs? I’ve got a hermit crab I’m care about and would hate to lose if I ended up with a puffer

 

[ReefHog]

Most likely will eat any crabs and shrimp they can catch.

 

[C4ctus99]

Most likely will eat any crabs and shrimp they can catch.

Figured as much, will wait for a predator tank then…