Why do they do that???

[srhubbell]

This may sound like a very silly question or statement to those reading, but bear with me as I entered into the puffer scene fairly recently.

I have 180 gallon tank with a SG of 1.005. I use a variety of plastic plants of varying heights and widths, caves, rocks, and a tree stump ornament to provide scenery and hiding places for the puffers.

I have had 8 puffers for the last 2 months living together in this set up very happily. These puffers vary in size from 1 inch to 2 inches in length. 3 were purchase from at one time from one store and are the biggest of the bunch, while the remaining 6 were purchased a month later and vary in size from 1 - 1 1/4 inches in size.

I came home from work for lunch today only to find that one of the smaller puffer is missing 90% of its back tail. The little guys is swimming around and doesn't appear to be harmed, except for the loss of his back tail

Is it normal for Puffers to be so aggressive with each other? I have read that Puffers are aggressive, but is it normal for them to get a long for a period of time and then POOF go for blood the next?
Should I consider separating the smaller ones from the bigger ones?

srhubbell

[Pufferpunk]

What kind of puffers are you speaking of? Many puffers cannot even get along w/their own kind. Other puffers may get along for a short or even long while & then WHAMMO!, vicious killer--especially as they mature.

[Pamela]

Yeah - whatcha got?
I'd think about separating them out, but for now, how heavily decorated is the tank? It's a biggun, but are there lots of hidey holes and different patches, so to speak, for each fish to call his own? How about sight lines....are they broken up by, say, a wall of plants or similar?
Pami.

[srhubbell]

They are all green spotted puffers.

I just redecorated the tank last week and that may be the problem. I need to go back and double check that each guy has a hiding place and the sight lines are broken up.

I will post with progress.

[Pamela]

Eight GSPs....why am I thinking of that opening scene in Reservoir Dogs?
I'd get a back-up tank or two...they're only little, but I reckon it'll well kick off as they get bigger.
Pami.

[Pufferpunk]

Please read ths info posted as stickies on these puffers.

[RTR]

Get spare tanks set and keep them ready. A 180 IME is 6'x2', so 12 square feet for a footprint. Eight GSPs in there gives 1 1/3 sq. ft. each. I doubt that is enough territory for a mature GSP. You will need to watch for and remove the aggressors.

[mantisman]

I have(had)two gsp's in a 55g with mass foliage in one half and a huge driftwood in the middle, with about 1/3 tank open except for a 3" clay pot for cover. The smaller puff(Chips 3.5") and the chubby guy(Whizzer) got along famously for a month.Then three days ago, I came home to find half the fins chewed off Whizzer and several bites out of his head,he died the next morning(in the qt).I fed these guys until they quit eating and even then Chips always acted afraid of Whizzer. Just giving an example of the unstable character of these little dudes. No more companions for Chips.

[Pamela]

No...that's awful. Sorry to hear that. Poor little guy.
Pami.