Do puffers usually......

[trever22]

As you may know from my other thread I set up a 29 gallon tank a d wanted to get a hairy puffer. Well guess what I got my hairy today. He is awesome I just want to make sure he is ok. Since I put him in he has been running up and down the glass and I am not sure if this is him exploring or if the water is t quite right for him. I love this little guy already and just want to be sure he is fine

[I.Puff.Too]

That's usually a sign of boredom.

[bertie 83]

Stress can cause this. He will soon settle if the tank is decorated heavily.

[trever22]

Yeah I'm sure he was stressed. He is defiantly settling in now. I have a lot of rocks but I will probably add some plants in the near future.

Do you suggest live or fake? If live what kind


Also I tested the water and my results are

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: I'd say about 30 even though it may be closer to 20

[bertie 83]

Keep the nitrate under 20, live plants are great if you have the correct lighting and set a good fert regime. Fake plants are easier to care for though lol.

[trever22]

Keep the nitrate under 20, live plants are great if you have the correct lighting and set a good fert regime. Fake plants are easier to care for though lol.

How do I get the nitrate down? Water change I presume

[bertie 83]

Yes waterchanges will sort it

[defool89]

Allthough live plants are a hobby/science in itself, I have found that its much easier to maintain clean water parameters. Live plants are live water conditioners and it out competes algae if done right.

[Pufferpunk]

Does he have a cave? How "hairy" is he? Pics???

[trever22]

Here are some pics. Let me know what you think of the setup in the tank now and what I can do to improve it. I do plan on adding some plants soon.

[eieio]

definitely needs plants
are those rocks/caves cemented together?
they need to be secure from collapse
what are you feeding him (her?)?
did you get the hairy from "The Wet Spot"?

[trever22]

definitely needs plants
are those rocks/caves cemented together?
they need to be secure from collapse
what are you feeding him (her?)?
did you get the hairy from "The Wet Spot"?

They are not cemented together but I made sure that they are very stable.
I have not fed him (her) anything yet. Tomorrow I plan to either get a platy for him (her) to eat or maybe some raw shrimp
I did get the hairy from "The Wet Spot"

as a permanent solution for food I plan on buying frozen krill and feeding my hairy that but as treats I would get live fish here and there.

[defool89]

Qt those live fish for 2 weeks or so if you can or as long as possible to feed them and nourish them and to spot any parasites so your puff dont eat them. I would name that puff koffing, hes awesome good find.

[eieio]

feed as big a variety as possible, and alternate the foods
earthworms, gut loaded crickets, gut loaded ghost shrimp, frozen/defrosted shrimp, frozen/defrosted clam, frozen/defrosted cockles, frozen/defrosted silversides, home grown live fish only
no store feeders, and limit the krill
your rockwork doesn't look at all secure - i suggest you cement them together before they collapse on your fish

[RTR]

Check the tap water supply for nitrate.