Why have my puffers abruptly started hiding?

[vince106]

Hello,

I have two puffers: a figure 8 and a hairy puffer, in separate tanks obviously. Tank conditions are stable and have not changed since before this behavior began.
It appears, for the past couple weeks or so, both my puffers have been hiding basically all day, and only come out to eat. Appetite seems to be normal. Again, I'm experienced in keeping a healthy tank and diligent in checking tank parameters, and no notable changes have occurred recently. No signs of bacterial/fungal/parasitic infections or other illness.

Does anyone know if it might be associated with breeding season or something? Or some other factor that may influence excessive hiding? Just not sure what to make of it. Doesn't make sense to me, considering two puffers in two separate tanks seem to have adopted this same behavior.

Any similar experiences?

Thanks,
Vin

[pokeystar]

Any changes in the area of the tanks? Moving furniture, new noise, new people, or pets? Two fish hiding I'm separate tanks would tell me either they are spooked or waters no right. Just in case you haven't done so check the pare meters your sours water may have changed.

[Iliveinazoo]

I haven't owned a hairy puffer but a Figure 8 will hide away by hovering under décor, I guess that it's natural behaviour for a solitary small fish. I normally feed in the evening when I get back from work so he comes out, he'll then swim about for a while looking for any scraps that he might have missed.

[By_a_coo]

I have learnt during these years that my puffers hide when there is too much light on the tank... they look uncomfortable. On the other hand, when the tank has poor lights... the puffers look relaxed and hide all the time.

My puffers turned active only when I appear to feed them.

[Iliveinazoo]

I tend to agree with By_a_coo but instead of switching my lights off I have Water Sprite growing on the surface of the water and I do think that he is out and about now more than when I didn't have any surface cover. I wouldn't say that my puffer ever looked uncomfortable in the past though.

[Pufferpunk]

My Hairy ONLY comes out of his cave to eat. Too bad--he's really a cool-looking puffer!

[Stratters]

My Hairy ONLY comes out of his cave to eat. Too bad--he's really a cool-looking puffer!

Mine too, he's a shy boy.

[By_a_coo]

I am not sure... maybe they start to hide because they started to feeling comfortable and in security.