inverts with porcupine puffer

[redrooster]

I recently bought a porcupine puffer to go in my FOWLR tank that I set up 2 months ago. Anyways I want to add a few snails/crabs to help keep the tank clean. I know the puffer will more than likely eventually eat them. I assume this will be good for the puffer by varying his diet a little? I was wondering if there were any particular inverts that were less likely for them to eat that may live a little while before becoming the daily special.

 

[NaH2O]

Here's a bump for you....

 

[matts125]

Inverts are their specialty! they will devour snails hermits clams and shrimp like candy, I am unsure of what kind would stand its ground but they will get eaten, as for tank cleaners I know of a way to replace them very inexpencive on ebay you can buy Illynasuras snails for 100 of them for$20 they are great for sand but also do just fine in a BB tank... I have many of them myself in my BB reef...

Matt

 

[redrooster]

Do they eat coral as well or just generally the clean up crew. I am figuring it is beneficial to feed them the snails and clams to keep their "beak" trimmed and to better mimick their natural diet?

 

[loohunter]

they love to munch on coral as well

 

[matts125]

Do they eat coral as well or just generally the clean up crew. I am figuring it is beneficial to feed them the snails and clams to keep their "beak" trimmed and to better mimick their natural diet?

yes they do need clams on half shell in their diet to keep their beak trimmed...

Matt

 

[Reefergeorge]

If your still wondering I have kept my porky with snails(narssarius,turbos), hermit crabs, and a cleaner shrimp fot a few months now. I except that he may eat them but I have seen him face to face with the cleaner and he shows no interest in him as food.
I feed him every other day and he is about 5 inches.

 

[redrooster]

Thank you for the reply. I have added a few snails with him as well and so far so good. Mine is about 5" as well and I feed him twice a day, but a very small amount each time. I am going to start slowly introducing some corals in with him and see how that goes.