Fang's puffer

[Freshy]

Recently adopted a fang's puffer from my friend.
It is about 2.5 - 3 inches total length.



I did the proper acclimatization when I brought it home.
When I released it from the bag, it was quite active and swam around the plants and deco.

After I added in a ceramic cave, it just hide inside and doesn't move.
Remain in one position for hours.
Only notice the eyes movement when I peek in.

Had been feeding it with frozen/fresh shrimp meat. Thrice a week.
The puffer will greedily snatched it from the food tong.

Questions:
Is fang's puffer a lurker or hunter?
Pufferpedia:

Very active swimmer, constantly on the 'hunt'.

Do I need to remove the ceramic cave?
I am planning to add in more plants and driftwood.

Is the water parameters affecting its activity level?
pH = 7.0, Temperature = 80 - 82, ammonia = 0, nitrite = 0, nitrate = 10ppm, 15gallon tank.

Do I need to add in some tankmates?
The puffer ate two 0.5inches convict babies but left one 2inches convict cichlid alone.

Please advise.
Appreciate any input.

[crazedpuffer]

Sounds like stress. He should calm down soon enough. Otherwise he ate too much (as of in the cichlids)
I never had a fangs, but have seen them at my LFS and they definitely seem to be hunters.
You don't have to remove the ceramic cave except if you want too. More plants and wood would help him feel more secure.
Most puffers are best kept alone, it will probablly be best to separate the convict, before it gets eaten too.

[jimi]

yeah puffers dont like fish but dont mind attacking them all

[StormySkiez]

yeah puffers dont like fish but dont mind attacking them all

true jimi.

Nice looking fang freshly. Hopefully it is just an adjustment thing for him. How long have you had him?

[Pufferpunk]

Is that spot near the tail red or black? I had a turgidus & he almost never left his cave except to eat (maybe at night too). IMO, the PP is wrong. They are lurkers, not active hunters. He feels safe in the cave, so leave it.

[Freshy]

With me for around three weeks.

That spot near the tail is red surrounded by a yellowish green ring.

Thanks everyone!

[Umbrella]

Is that spot near the tail red or black? I had a turgidus & he almost never left his cave except to eat (maybe at night too). IMO, the PP is wrong. They are lurkers, not active hunters. He feels safe in the cave, so leave it.

I agree

I had a Fangs puffer that originally liked to stealth about the thick cover..slowly moving around, but being sneaky. I then moved him to a new tank and it did not have nearly as many places for him to go. He died shortly thereafter. He stopped eating. So, my guess is they need to have a LOT of cover to be happy. If they do not get it... they can't be themselves and just die. So like PP said, they are lurkers. They like very much sneaking up on stuff and biting it. I'm not saying yours will die because of it, but I believe the stress did kill mine.

-UMB

[Freshy]

Thanks for the input! Appreciated.

I have bought some Anubias plants for my tank. Will be tying them onto the driftwood to provide more covers for my fang's puffer.