Ratchet proves his intelligence

[qtrhorse89]

So a lot of my friends come over to look at my fish and they constantly pick on me about how much I gush about them. They always laugh when I try to tell them my fish, in particular my fahaka Ratchet, are very intelligent.

Well the other day Ratchet showed my friend what's what. He had come over and he glanced around and I told him to go over and look at how much Ratchet had grown. He was hanging out in front of his cave at the time. The friend walked over, Ratch took one look at him and darted back into his cave. My friend was just like aww he's afraid of humans, must be because I'm so big. I was quick to retort that no it was because Ratchet didn't know who he was. It had nothing to do with him seeing a human. Well my friend wasn't having any of it. He was determined that there was no way a fish could distinguish between humans. So I was like okay i'll prove it. He stepped away from the tank and I walked up. Ratchet saw me and darted right out begging for food. My friends jaw dropped to the ground.

Well then he decided that we had stood there too long and Ratch got used to it and that's why he came out. So I stepped back and made him go up to the tank again. Sure enough Ratch dives back into his cave and peeks out at him. Then I walked up beside him and Ratch really slowly swum out and looked around like oh well you're here so this other one must be okay. Now feed me! lol

So my friend is now convinced that at least my fahaka puffer is intelligent and Ratchet got a piece of shrimp for his troubles.

[busybones]

That's so funny, Pookie is the same way...My husband always likes showing his friends my fish and Pookie gets dark and goes to his hiding spot! My GSP's want attention from anyone though! lol

[pufferpuggirl]

And I think this is why we love these puffers, because they are just a little more intelligent than we expect fish to be ... I think it's brilliant!

[busybones]

I've been treating my GSP's for ich and one of the smallest ones wasn't feeling well yesterday..kind of laying around by herself with her tail wrapped around her body...When I'd come up to the tank and she saw me it was like nothing was bothering her! I could see her eyes light up as she swam up to see me...I just love these guys!

P.S.
She's doing much better today!

[qtrhorse89]

Aww I'm glad to hear he's doing better busybones.

Schismy I think you are absolutely correct. I like all fish but I am addicted to my puffers. There's just something about them.

[kilofey]

BAHAHAHAHAHA this made me laugh, Kukah does the same thing!!!!!! every time i come to the front of the tank, he gets all excited and frills out his gorgeous tail for me, follows my finger, drags his lips against the glass and lets me pet him on the head.... then when i catch my boyfriend looking at him, hes at the bottom of the tank, usually turned away from him and he weaves in and out of the plants and goes to his "safe spot". then my boyfriend says "man! he hates me! why the heck does he like you so much?!?!?" then he looks at Kukah and says "your mom and i are a package deal buddy! if you love her, at least pretend to like me!"

aaahhh, that little guy got me hooked on puffers so quick, hes awesome.... so i found this site and decided to join "puffers anonamous" lol

[Pufferpunk]

Filbert will come out of his cave when I tap on the glass, for visitors. I tell them I have 2 dogs, Kalvin (my JRT) & Filbert (the fahaka).

[sPuffalopagus]

Hmmm... seems like that is a very familiar story for all Fahaka owners.

My Beetroot is really fond of kids and (check this) ladies in pink!!.
Visit my place belonging to any of the above categorizations and you will have an uber friendly Fahaka staring and smiling at you... others please step aside.

[kilofey]

Hmmm... seems like that is a very familiar story for all Fahaka owners.

My Beetroot is really fond of kids and (check this) ladies in pink!!.
Visit my place belonging to any of the above categorizations and you will have an uber friendly Fahaka staring and smiling at you... others please step aside.

beetroot sounds like quite the gentleman. he charming to the ladies AND hes good with kids?!? is he available next saturday say 7ish?

[qtrhorse89]

haha that's awesome! Ratch is still selective on who he will beg for lol.

[digger]

I had a similar experiance with my 1st Fahaka when I had my wisdom teeth taken out I was drugged up pretty bad when my girlfriend (at the time) and I walked by his tank he was begging for attention, I went strait to bed. She later told me that after I went to bed she came out to look at him, he looked at her like "who are you?" Went in his cave and slept.

[carlov2004]

my puffer Donnie is really very intelligent, he knows exactly who feeds him and only gives real attention to him, except when he has just been feed by my other half then he knows to try me in case i don't know he has already been feed, he doesn't like anyone who wears red and he gets miffed if we go near the tank for more then 5 minuets and don't feed him, he has great eye sight and can see us in the living room looking through two other rooms ,he knows where the fridge is and freaks out each time someone goes up to that section of the room as thats where his food comes from. Donnie has a great character he has really funny mood swings if something annoys him it will make him grumpy for the rest of the day, he gets depressed though not often, he gets way over excited (normally over food). Donnie really spends time looking out of the tank at us, he recognizes where things are meant to be and doesn't like it when we move things around, im sure with every year he gets more intelligent, he is now 7 and i cant wait to see how clever he is in the years to come.

[pufferpuggirl]

carlov2004, I think it's awesome that you've had your Fahaka for 7 years, that's amazing, and I can only imagine what your puffer must be like knowing how intelligent they are. I had to laugh when you said he freaks out when someone goes near the fridge, that's funny and I'd love to see it.

I look at my little Fahaka, he's getting bigger, nearly 3" now ... and I wonder what he's going to be like when he grows up. I've heard such wonderful stories about the lineatus puffer, and that's why I finally broke down and had to get one.

I love hearing these stories though.

[MrHumphries]

Fahakas are awesome,

Recently when I was doing Samson's WC, he came right over to look at what I was doing?, so I took the chance and tried petting him, well low and behold he got closer when I did, he love's his head petted, and his belly stroked I to can't wait to see what he is like as he gets older.. He also knows his cup, a little white one I thaw his worms and shrimp in

Don

[pufferpuggirl]

How big is Samson now, Don ?