Fahaka Temperment

[LinearChaos]

It never ceases to amaze me how different each individual T. lineatus really is. I have quite a bit of experience with this fish and they are never the same. Sure, most of them are aggressive, *looks in Filbert's direct and scratches head*, but they really do have a personality all their own.

Now that I'm back in the hobby I just received a juvenile T. lineatus from a very reputable distributor. He's tiny, probably 2 inches at the most and he's very shy. Hiding in the caves and not really exploring too much. He is small and he is adjusting to change and he is in a large tank all by his lonesome (125g) so I'm sure he'll start exploring soon, but the others I have had have been so inquisitive. Roaming around the tank, very active.

He shows absolutely no signs of stress is nice and fat and eats with a voracious appetite as expected from a healthy puff, the water parms are great...he's just a shy little T. lineatus. Maybe I have another Filbert...

[yunachin]

In the beginning with my fahaka, Kaiser he was quite the docile fish. I got him at about the same size that yours is...2 inches or so and it took some time before I actually saw a personality coming out of him. Now at about 7-8 inches, he is very aggressive, and if his meal is late he spits water out of the tank at you. I also think that if you walk by his tank and you do not acknowledge him, he gets angry at you.

[Troender]

I think it's the same all over the puffer world. Two puffers of the same species will never have the same temperament. That's the main thing I've learnt by keeping puffers: the puffers don't read the books and articles that's written about them...

[LinearChaos]

Heh, exactly!

[Bawb2u]

Just out of curiousity, did you get it from TNT Aquatics? If so, you'll be the 4th or 5th person here that did. I got my 2 incher about 2 months ago, set it up in a 20 long for quarantine for a couple of weeks and then put it into it's lifetime 180 gallon tank. It's amazingly non-shy, from day one cruising and checking out every move made near the tank. These fish definitely have different personalities ( Pisc-onalities?)

[LinearChaos]

No, I got him from Rehoboth Aquatics. Toyin always does a wonderful job of packing & shipping and the fish are very healthy....and he's inexpensive!

[Pufferpunk]

How much does he charge for shipping?

Did you name the new fellow? Filbert says hi!

[LinearChaos]

He charged me $40 to ship both the T. mbu and T. lineatus...but they're both tiny little guys. He's very reasonable, compared to LFS prices it was like buy a T. mbu and get a T. lineatus free!

[flash.dan]

ve to put my hand in very very fast as she seems to bolt at my finger has bit me once and looked like she was about to a number of times. what i have to do when cleaning her 6x2 out is put my hand in fast and actually move it around near her quite agressivly until she backs away but she wont be timid she will follow my hand around till im done. Shes defenelty better than she was but she is bold as brass. And when i do feed her she will almost jump out of the water when thrashing around for food she is a monster. I just hope she calms down when shes a little bigger or could be fairly difficult

[Pufferpunk]

LOL, she'll probably get worse!

[LinearChaos]

Yeah, my old puffer just about drew blood. He was pretty large though when he bit me. You have to be careful with these guys, they're ruthless!

[Idontknow]

Now at about 7-8 inches, he is very aggressive, and if his meal is late he spits water out of the tank at you.

Is this true?!
Do they really do that?

[yunachin]

Absolutely! He is very spoiled and very demanding. And I currently do not have a top on his tank so he is free to spit wherever. Not for long though....lol

[Idontknow]

That's very cool!

[flash.dan]

LOL, she'll probably get worse!

thanks for the support PP i hope she calms down. my big mbu is lovely and placid she is a little witch!