Petting Puffers - questions

The forum for puffers that either live or start in brackish biotopes: GSPs, F8s, Ceylons & more.
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sparks42
Figure 8 Puffer
Posts: 231
Joined: Mon May 07, 2007 12:45 pm
My Puffers: Green Spotted Puffer named Chomper!
Location: London Ontario Canada

Petting Puffers - questions

Post by sparks42 »

Hello, I have been trying to earn the trust of my GSP over the last 2.5 years, and we seem to be getting better at it as time goes by.

One thing I've noticed, it seems as if he can't feel when I touch his belly. He reacts when I touch his back or fins, but when i touch his belly, he doesn't react at all. If poke him or rub him from above, he normally flinches or jumps and speeds up in his swimming, or turns around and looks at me, or something !!! But if I get him from under his belly, he doesn't react at all. I can even lift him up from underneath and still he doesn't react.

Anyone know what's up with this ? Anyone else try to pet their puffers ? :)
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Dadof4
Tech Team
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Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:50 am
Gender: Male
My Puffers: 1 GSP (Microfiche) RIP, 1 Monotrete Turgidus (Leon) in a 30gal. 1 Monotrete suvattii in a 40 gal FW. 120 gallon BW with 3 juvenile Dragon Gobies (so cool). 55 gal with a 2" GSP named Hank. 180 gallon being set up for a Fahaka in the next few months!
Location (country): United States
Location: North Wisconsin

Re: Petting Puffers - questions

Post by Dadof4 »

I wonder if that is a predator/prey reaction. Most of the danger for a puffer would come from above not below so touching his under carriage doesn't elicit the fight/flight reflex. Just a thought....
"Darwin swings...annnnnnd a miss. Boy Jim, Chuck's suffered at the plate tonight. He's 0 for 3 and I'm not sure he's recovered from that shoulder pull a few weeks ago. I'll bet the front office is re-thinking that contract."
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lmsmith
Puffer Fry
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Joined: Sun Dec 21, 2008 12:35 am

Re: Petting Puffers - questions

Post by lmsmith »

I don't think they have very many feeling nerves in the belly. I can do the same for my puffers (lift them from underneath) but I know they do feel it because they'll actually roll to the side so I can pet their bellies.
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