The Puffer Forum

Boxermom wrote:I would very much recommend against it. Not only does it hurt like hell and open your body up to the possibility of a nasty infection, but the natural reaction is to jerk your hand away which can cause the puffer in question to fly across the room. I speak from experience.

And then my dog probably would eat it...
No, I was only joking about it. I wouldn't dare to test those teeth after seeing that thing eat its shrimp It was just amazing And what amazingly big mouthfuls it could take! I am very, very happy it wasn't any part of my body being attacked!

Oh yes, if you can find the post where Boxermom received a "nibble" from her puff who then went airborne you will experience an enjoyable read. It wasn't funny that she got bit, but the telling and the visual I got did make me giggle and made sure I will always be cautious about getting my hands in the suvatti tank. My modestus so far is quite mellow, but he still has some growing to do, I believe

I found it I guess that fish got quite a shock, and probably got a bit embarrased
I started imagining Hufflepuff flying through the air, and landing in the other end of the living room If any of my puffers will ever bite me, it will be him! Bolla is too timid, and so is Knoll and Tott, and surely Jack the Ripper (but you never know when Jack the Ripper strikes again... ). The only other that I imagine can do this, is Tiger. But again: you never know with puffers (OMG, I have many puffers now! And I am still thinking about buying some more...).

I've heard other people telling similar stories about other fishes, and they've talked about fishes looking quite embarrassed afterwards Who wouldn't be...

Oh no, Phil wasn't the least bit embarassed and if given half a chance, he'd do it again. Of that I have no doubt. Linus, my fahaka, almost got me the other day. I was showing him snails through the glass before I dropped them into the tank, and as soon as they hit the water, he immediately snatched them up. I made the mistake of poking my finger into the water after the last one and he very nearly snatched onto my fingernail.

How big is that fahaka, boxermom?

A little over 4" now.

Not that big a fahaka, then. I imagined a fully grown one, trying to bite you
That is something I don't want to test!

Now I know for sure I don't want to put my hands into Hufflepuff's tank. I placed my finger on the glass of the tank, and, yes, he tried to bite me! Not nibble, but bite! Luckily there was glass between Hufflepuff and my finger
He's an aggressive little thing

i am glad he is doing better