Quick Humpback/Dragon puffer questions

[quasar]

Hey guys!


So a fews weeks ago I got a new lil Humpback puffer. Hes doing great in my 90g swimming, eating etc. I just had 2 questions about these fish.

First: how slow/fast do they grow? Iv done a lot of research but it seems as though nobody knows. Closest i came was one post in a forum saying 2cm per year!!?? I hope it's not that slow lol. Anybody know?

This leads to my next question. While doing all this digging some people said this puffer needs to eat shellfish to keeps its teeth filed and some said it wasn't necessary. While this puffer is a piscavore im inclined to agree it wouldnt need shellfish, but Id rather be safe then sorry. So in essence, should i start feeding shellfish/snails to my puffer for its teeth?

 

[alexisnsanti]

iknow they grow very slow... not sure exactly but not that slow tho.. and the snails would be better to feed.. and if you don't feed the shell fish or snails than the teeth can over grow and the fish will have health issues in that area.. not an expert on these but that's w a lil info I know

 

[bottles]

They grow incredibly slow. Mine had OK growth until 5" or so, then it took almost 2 years to grow another inch.

Out of the three that I've kept, all refused snails. Yours may or may not take them, but they aren't necessary. You are correct, the piscivorous species don't need them and don't get the overgrown teeth. I fed them occasional crayfish and such to balance out the diet, but it's not a must.

 

[alexisnsanti]

what i have heard of is they do over grow teeth.. most puffers

 

[quasar]

They grow incredibly slow. Mine had OK growth until 5" or so, then it took almost 2 years to grow another inch.

Out of the three that I've kept, all refused snails. Yours may or may not take them, but they aren't necessary. You are correct, the piscivorous species don't need them and don't get the overgrown teeth. I fed them occasional crayfish and such to balance out the diet, but it's not a must.

Kool thanks again Bottles! How long did it take urs to hit 5"? Like a year?

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[bottles]

You're welcome.
Yes, about a year to go from 3-3.5" to 5". They were fed well and were in a 180g. With lots of room and a healthy diet, I expected faster growth since they say the max size is 10". I'm guessing that it would be a very old puffer to reach that max size.

 

[quasar]

You're welcome.
Yes, about a year to go from 3-3.5" to 5". They were fed well and were in a 180g. With lots of room and a healthy diet, I expected faster growth since they say the max size is 10". I'm guessing that it would be a very old puffer to reach that max size.

Iv read a lot of 7-8" for max size. But ya the thing must be ancient to be that big, or from Monsanto

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