Dogface Puffer Normal Behavior

[biggy101]

100g tank, 1.026 salt level, 8.2ph, 0 amonia/ 0 nitrite / 0 nitrate / 76 degrees. 70lbs live rock. 15 blue leg hermit crabs / 20 turbo snails

I got this puffer 2 days ago and make sure hes ok.

First day I got him home, i spent a few hours acclimating and he was out and about searching everything and trying to nip at the live rock, ate a few ghost shrimp. Today he spent most of his time laying on top of a live rock and underneath another live rock kind of curled in a ball. He would come out for a little bit and eat a couple more ghost shrimp just fine. But then he goes back to laying back down curled up.

I just want to know if laying down kind of hiding curled up if normal behavior for this fish? Or is he still too new to the tank?

[marksrush]

How big is he?

[biggy101]

About 6-7inches.

[marksrush]

Well tank size is not the problem then, that's good. OK, well I'm certainly not one of the gurus, but I do know that puffers are sensitive fish and it's not at all uncommon for them to go into reclusive mode for a while, especially when first being added to your tank. What makes me wonder a little bit though, is the fact that he started out being investigative and active. On the other hand, I've seen this behavior in GSPs that I've had, so who knows. One of the site biggies will chime in here soon, so let's see what they say.

[edmlfc1]

As long as he's still showing intrest at feeding time I wouldn't worry. He's probally just geting use to his new home and found a place where he likes to sleep. Even Elvis will curl up behind a rock and take a nap.

[Pufferpunk]

This may be normal to a puffer new to it's surroundings. So will fasting for a few days.

Most LFS keep their fish tanks at a much lower SG, as low as 1.016. Do you mnow what yours keeps hteirs at? I see no reason to spend so much $$$ on $alt keeping yours that high, unless you are keeping a reef tank, which with a dogface is pretty much impossible. Next few weeks of WC, I'd get that down to aorund 1.020, to save yourself some $$$.

[biggy101]

Here are some pics of my new buddy hanging out in his favorite spot.

[marksrush]

Wow, he really likes to wedge himself in there, doesn't he!

[biggy101]

Yea he sure does! Makes me feel like he is uncomfortable and worries me!

[edmlfc1]

Elvis will do that too. Just when I think he's not going to fit he does this blubber thing. Moves his gut around and squeezes into tight places. I would say that's pretty normal. I also notice that when he comes out it looks like he has scratches on his body. If you see that don't worry it goes away in less than an hour. It freaked me out the first time, now I just ignore it. You have an adorable puffer there.

[biggy101]

Ok, I have one more question regarding my new Dog Face puffer.

I offered him frozen shrimp thawed out and he took a huge bite, then spit it out and ignored it.

I offered ghost shrimp and he loves them, can't get enough.

Then I offered krill and he took a bite and spit it out and runs away from it.

What else can I feed this guy besides ghost shrimp???

[edmlfc1]

Try mussel's, clams and crab. I buy mine from the fresh seafood department in the local grocery store. The crab: I cut off the legs, then cut the body into pieces and freeze in a ziploc. I then defrost a piece and feed it to my puffer.

[biggy101]

Ok so when I got home after work I fed the little guy 3 ghost shrimp which he chomped up. Then I offered an opened mussel and he took a bite and spit it out and went wondering around the tank. Eventually he made it back to his favorite spot and thats where he is just hanging out.

Did he eat enough?

Should he be more active? He doesn't seem to be breathing heavy or anything.

[edmlfc1]

Try soaking his food in garlic.

[biggy101]

Here he is again, just kickin' it, keeping an eye out.