Bored Puff

[LadyHawk]

I know this isn't a new topic, but I thought I'd refresh it anyways. I have a VERY active Congo puffer who glass-surfs when he gets bored. My water parameters are perfect and he has a 40 gal all to himself. I've added a powerhead and a bubble wall (which he loves playing in and chasing the bubbles). But he still gets bored. I wanted to come up with a list of things to entertain him, and pick your brains for more ideas. Here's what I have so far:
- Add ghost shrimp for him to chase
- get a laser pointer and get him to chase it
- get an orange ping pong ball for him to play with

Other ideas that have worked for your puffs?

[eieio]

does he have sufficient small grained gravel or sand to burrow in?
got a picture of his tank?
I don't think a laser pointer is a healthy idea.

[Pufferpunk]

I don't think a laser pointer is a healthy idea.

Causes OCD in cats & dogs.

[LadyHawk]

He has really soft fine sand to burrow in, which he does frequently. I tried the ping pong ball and he had no interest in it. However, he's fallen in love with the power head and bubble wall! He spends all his swimming time now surfing the current and chasing wayward bubbles! I was surprised that he is so active for the type of fish he is - I was told he'd stay burrowed in the substrate all the time. But Jack is very active and very nosey! He has to see everything going on around him. So I guess the problem solved itself! Thank goodness for a quality powerhead! (And thanks for the quick reply Pufferpunk!)

[Bleedingheartmommy]

Must say again, how adorable Jack is!

But also would like to add, the tried and true: tank rescaping/decore rearranging. I know Jack's a lurker species, but he's also pretty active and being "nosey" (lol) as you put it, may give him a little something different to figure out. All though... Congo Cove IS pretty greaut, hard to imagine

[LadyHawk]

Awwww thanks BleedingHeartMommy! I do frequently move around the plants and decor, as well as reshaping the sand into different "hills" and valleys for him. He's much better now with the powerhead - he's been surfing (when he's not begging for food) or snoozing in the sand. He's so spoiled!

[magpie]

I think the ghost shrimp thing is also a good idea. My fish love hunting them, and it seems to be mentally stimulating even after they're gone - they continue to look around for them.

[LadyHawk]

Thanks Magpie!! I think mine got quite a workout when there were ghost shrimp in the tank - however he was just too slow to actually catch them! I was trying to decide if I should just keep the tank stocked with them or if that was too hard on them. Such silly puffs!