Puffer Diet

In the wild, the puffer, also known as a blowfish, fish eats invertebrates and algae in tropical ocean waters, transitional brackish waterways and freshwater. The puffer's diet in captivity should mimic its natural diet. A menu of rich protein and greens, paired with rock structures for hiding and digesting meals, keeps captive puffer fish healthy.

  1. Types

    • In their native habitat, puffer fish dine on mussels, clams, mollusks and other shell fish. The predators also hunt fish, snails and crustaceans. When kept as a pet in an aquarium, puffer fish eat live, freeze-dried and frozen protein sources to stay healthy. Offer shrimp, squid, krill, fish, clams and fresh or pellet algae for a well-rounded diet.

    Frequency

    • Feeding frequencies vary depending on the puffer fish's age and size. Small fish under 2 inches in length should be fed once a day. Offer food to puffers measuring 2 to 4 inches in length every other day. Large puffer fish over 4 inches in length should be fed two to three times per week.

    Method

    • Puffer fish have four teeth, according to National Geographic. The fused teeth form a hard, beak-like protrusion. This appendage assists the fish when cracking open shellfish. The fish will often blow air or water at the ocean floor to move silt and reveal their next meal. When chasing mobile prey, the round puffer fish swims with an awkward movement using both his pectoral and tail fins to maneuver.

    Warnings

    • When fed live and frozen foods, puffer fish make a mess. They don't fully finish their meals, leaving the aquarium water cloudy from food debris. Animal World recommends a 50 percent water change once a week in a puffer tank. To ensure puffers can consume shellfish, their continually growing teeth may require trimming. To avoid manually trimming the teeth, offer the puffer fish hard-shelled foods regularly to keep the teeth naturally filed.

    Safety

    • Puffer fish eat live fish. Avoid housing slow-moving, docile community fish with a puffer. The semi-aggressive fish will eat smaller tank mates or chew on the flowing fins of some decorative fish varieties. As a puffer grows and matures, it may become increasingly aggressive toward tank mates. Aquatic Connection recommends housing puffer fish individually.