The Puffer Forum

Dither fish = calm swimming, usually smaller fish placed into a tank to calm a nervous or agitated fish or to entice them into eating. Sometimes this is the only thing that will coax a fish out of hiding or get them to eat when they go on a hunger strike.

Interesting fish psychology! I'll have to remember that if I ever have a fish that allows food to actually touch bottom!

Woke up this morning, tested the water which is now at 1.006. No ammonia, no nitrites and nitrates under 10. Woohoo, decided it was time I pick up mr.puffer. He*or she* is beyond cute. Only an inch and a half tops. They had a few, they mostly all had a few bites out of their tails. I picked the nicest looking one, he looks pretty much perfect except for a teeny bite mark. With TLC that should clear up fast. They all had nice round tummies.

So I took one molly out and left the other in for now. As soon as I finished acclimating him he went off to explore. He started picking at everything 0_o lol. Then he saw some of the snail population that I've been building up.He totally went to town. He tore one up, biting it in half and then slurping the rest of the body out.

Every time I've seen a snail in a tank of mine I've been tossing it in there. Culture is going in another room as well . Hopefully he'll keep on being as happy and healthy as he seems right now. When I picked him out he was looking right at me. I couldn't resist those eyes...I'll try to get some pics tomorrow. My skills aren't great but maybe my friend can get some for me. He has a better camera too ^_^.

Thank you all for the help. This site has been a great place to read up and help me learn to care for this little dude. I never knew a single fish could make me smile so darn much lol!

Oh cool and I'm a figure 8 now too XD

Good luck with the new guy / gal and please keep us posted.

Most definaetly will do . She was super active all day today and ate some frozen blood worms. I guess I shouldn't have problems getting her to eat other frozen foods which makes me happy.

I read that these guys are native to Malaysia(and other parts of South Asia I believe?) so I have decided to name her Yin-Ying which is a girls name in Malaysia . I hear they are un-sexable so I'm just going to refer to it as a her from now on lol.