The Puffer Forum

That's a good question and I really don't have an answer for it because I'm unsure of Purigen's mechanism of action. There are three main types of hormone: Peptides, Amine derived, and Lipid/phospholipid based. The specific type of hormone and the binding action of Purigen would matter greatly when determining if it would be removed. If the hormone in question is a Peptide and Purigen has binding action with amino acid chains, then it would probably remove it. It would be a real interesting thing to try to figure out but the only way to really do that is to get the chemical makeup of Purigen and the hormone in question and its chemical structure. Another way is to find the specific hormone, add it to a tank in its pure form, and filter with Purigen, then test the hormone level to see if it decreases.

I believe that the term you are looking for is GIS (Growth Inhibiting Substances).

Stunting can occur in aquariums, as well as in the wild. This much we know for fact.
But the jury still appears to be out as to whether this is caused by pheromones, increased levels of cortisol (from stress) or whatever.

I personally find it very difficult to believe that in a properly maintained 180 gallon tank, that two juvenile puffers, one 7 inches, and one 3 inches, that one of these juvies would show a reduced rate of growth due to build up of growth inhibiting substances. (whilst the other one shows typical growth)

RD. wrote:I believe that the term you are looking for is GIS (Growth Inhibiting Substances).

Stunting can occur in aquariums, as well as in the wild. This much we know for fact.
But the jury still appears to be out as to whether this is caused by pheromones, increased levels of cortisol (from stress) or whatever.

I personally find it very difficult to believe that in a properly maintained 180 gallon tank, that two juvenile puffers, one 7 inches, and one 3 inches, that one of these juvies would show a reduced rate of growth due to build up of growth inhibiting substances. (whilst the other one shows typical growth)

Different animals are affected by different substances differently?

So a 3" mbu requires what, a 500 gallon tank just to reach ideal juvenile growth rates?

Do you have any idea what size of holding tanks these fish receive when first collected, and
later at exporters facilities? Not all fish are hard wired to reach the maximum sizes found on various
online species profiles. This could be as simple as genetics, and have absolutely nothing to do with
the water parameters. Possibly just a slower starter that will eventually greatly surpass the Fahaka in size.

Just offering MHO .......

My guess is that it was stunted before arrival.

My guess is that it was stunted before arrival.

Yes, quite possible. Even still, unless severly stunted it should continue to grow at a reasonable rate into adulthood.

Too many variables at play to know with 100% certainty one way or the other as to exactly what is going on.

I personally don't think it's stunted. Also agree that it's a slower grower I just rarely take one position in a debate

RD. wrote:I believe that the term you are looking for is GIS (Growth Inhibiting Substances).

Stunting can occur in aquariums, as well as in the wild. This much we know for fact.
But the jury still appears to be out as to whether this is caused by pheromones, increased levels of cortisol (from stress) or whatever.

I personally find it very difficult to believe that in a properly maintained 180 gallon tank, that two juvenile puffers, one 7 inches, and one 3 inches, that one of these juvies would show a reduced rate of growth due to build up of growth inhibiting substances. (whilst the other one shows typical growth)

I agree. It would make sense that the fahaka would be slow growing as well if it was a substance build up in the tank. Although they are two different species, they are closely related so I don't see how it would affect one and not the other.

I have a mbu as well, ours has grown about 3 times the size since late August. He does not live with any other puffers, so that could definately be a factor.

Also, what is your temperature at?? Sometimes I have found he will eat much much more when the heat is about 82degrees versus colder water

RD. wrote:I believe that the term you are looking for is GIS (Growth Inhibiting Substances).

Stunting can occur in aquariums, as well as in the wild. This much we know for fact.
But the jury still appears to be out as to whether this is caused by pheromones, increased levels of cortisol (from stress) or whatever.

I personally find it very difficult to believe that in a properly maintained 180 gallon tank, that two juvenile puffers, one 7 inches, and one 3 inches, that one of these juvies would show a reduced rate of growth due to build up of growth inhibiting substances. (whilst the other one shows typical growth)

Huh, I never got back to this thread...
Something to take in to account here is the size of the fish, their maturity level, and how the GIS is going to affect each species. We're talking two different species with two different growth rates being in contact with the same substance. Who is to say the Fahaka isn't being affected but it's not being seen as readily because of their fast growth rate?

Just to remind you guys, the OP traded in this puffer for a larger one, if I'm thinking of the same guy.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Bets on when he says that one stopped growing too?

Maybe it's in a separate tank.

True, that was a little on the snarky side. Sorry...