Puffer Changing Colour???

The forum for puffers that either live or start in brackish biotopes: GSPs, F8s, Ceylons & more.
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Nicole
Puffer Fry
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Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 3:42 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Puffer Changing Colour???

Post by Nicole »

Hey, I have a GSP in a 20 gal. tank all by himself. He is in brackish water. The other night when I went to feed him I noticed that his belly, instead of being completely white it was kindof dark in spots. It was darker (grey/black) on the sides and near his mouth. As soon as I fed him though his belly appeared to change back to his normal bright white colour.
I didn't know puffers "changed colours" and what would/could have caused this???
Thanks
"There's children throwing snowball's instead of throwing heads, there's people building toys and absolutely no one's dead, Jack Skellington"

~nicole
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Phaedrus
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Post by Phaedrus »

It's very normal for puffers to change colours.

When they are just lurking around, they often get darker/duller, and when they get excited (think feeding time) they turn bright white. Sometimes the opposite, where they will flush darker during feeding.

If you notice that they are very lethargic and are breathing heavy and they have consistently dull colour and a dark belly, there is a good chance of sickness.

Normal activity and colour changes mean you have a normal healthy puffer.
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Nicole
Puffer Fry
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Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 3:42 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

colour changing

Post by Nicole »

Thank goodness. For a minute there I thought maybe I was doing something wrong! Phew... :)
"There's children throwing snowball's instead of throwing heads, there's people building toys and absolutely no one's dead, Jack Skellington"

~nicole
ChesapeakeSwellfish
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Location: southern Maryland

Post by ChesapeakeSwellfish »

Mine does the same thing Nicole. He also used to darken on the sides during water changes. Emotional fish! Now he's more curious about the gravel vac and even bites it if he sees something inside.
lisalisa

Post by lisalisa »

So do my puffs!
Hey Nicole, what size is your puffer? What SG? When are you upgrading his tank?
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Nicole
Puffer Fry
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 3:42 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Puffer

Post by Nicole »

My puffer's about 1.5", his SG is about 1.006. I figure his 20 gal. is okay for a while since he's the only fish in it and he's still tiny. I will be setting up a 38 gal. tank in the near future for my Puffy. :D
"There's children throwing snowball's instead of throwing heads, there's people building toys and absolutely no one's dead, Jack Skellington"

~nicole
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