GSP apatite

[zookey]

So last week I needed to be out of town for a couple of days. So before I left I fed my puffer well and let him fast for the day and a half I was gone. So between meals he may have gone about 36 hours. When I returned it is almost as if my puffer is a different puffer.

He used to be kind of shy, but now he greets me at the front of the tank the way my dog greets me at the door.
He used to be a picky eater, but now he will eat (or try to eat) anything that enters his tank.
He used to sleep in behind decorations, but now he will flop down in the middle of the tank and snooze happily.

As far as his apatite goes...... he used to only eat about 1/4 of a night crawler before he was no longer interested. Or 1/2 a medium sized "small" scallop. Then he would happily much up a snail or two. Now he just always wants more food. I used to have to wait for him to eat enough to "round out" his belly, and now I have to stop feeding him so that he doesn't look like a golf ball. When I put any food in his tank using the forceps he strikes so hard that I can feel it all the way up the handles of the forceps.

Should I be concerned with his new vigor, personality and apatite changes? Is this normal for a puffer who may have finally become comfortable in his tank? I have had him just about 2 months now. He is still moody and not as bright of green as I would hope for ..... but the previous owner had called him a brown fish when they gave him to me and according to them he was never anything but a brown fish, never showing any green at all. He used to be quite dark including his belly but now he always has a white belly and a mild green coloring throughout his body has developed with his neon halo always bright and shining.

[drj1259]

sounds to me that your GSP is coming out of his "shell" so to speak. My GSP eats everything and welcomes me when i come home and when i wake up and turn the light on thats why i fell in love with puffers very quickly lol. But i wouldnt be worried about his new change sounds like he was sick when u got him so makes sense he wasnt active then but is active now since he is healthier and happier.

[Pufferpunk]

He sounds like a wonderful puffer! I think he missed you.

[zookey]

I think he is sucking up. I think he knew I bought him a 35 gallon tank while out of town. Now just to get it set up and ready for him.

I didn't even know they made 35 gallon tanks! It is the same length as the 30 gallon but wider front to back by an inch or two. Got a great price on it..... but now need to build a stand (or buy one) and do a bit of re-arranging in the house to accommodate it.

I can see me owning nothing but puffers in the future as tanks eventually free up if they are anything like this guy. Tonight I wrangled him up 6 ghost shrimp from my other tank and he is having a great time "hunting" them in his tank. He is so cute when he is stalking them. Reminds me of a new puppy stalking the family cat that has already sunk it's claws into the puppies nose. I have yet to see him ever catch one. He is so intent on stalking the shrimps that he won't pay attention to the food I have offered him tonight... the shrimp are busy stealing it though. The long timer he had had in his tank was found the other day stuck to the top of the filter. Not sure how he got out of the tank or how he ended up on top of the filter box but must have been there a day or two when I found him.... pretty dry and non responsive. I just wish I knew where these ghost shrimp are coming from in my Goldfish tank.... I have never put any in there that I know of. Oh well.... the puffer is having a great time!