The Puffer Forum

Dadof4 wrote: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.

Wow. You should invent a test for puffer hormone on a stick with lines.

That would be an interesting undertaking. I just wonder how one would go about getting the puffer to....Nah, I'm not going there.

Okay I'm just gonna say this... Idk if the Mbu puffers are slower growers, but Fahakas. Are supposed to grow an Inch per month. So it could be that they're just a faster growing fish.

Mbus generally grow just as quickly, at least for the 1st year.

Dadof4 wrote:That would be an interesting undertaking. I just wonder how one would go about getting the puffer to....Nah, I'm not going there.

lolol I got your PM. I was thinking that you'd just put the puff in a smaller container for a bit and then stick the absorbant end in the water. You know- like "Use the first pee of the morning- its more concentrated."

Just to end at least one of life's little mysteries, I am now the current owner of this juvenile Mbu.

It came in looking very healthy, and has acclimatized very well to its new surroundings.
It has its own spacious tank (and yes, I'm well aware of the potential adult size of this fish), so no possibilities of pheromone/hormone/GIS issues from here on in. (not that I believe there ever was any) Just to be on the safe side, I've also treated it with Jungle Parasite Clear. It took the treatment very well, and has what I would consider a very healthy appetite. I'm also supplementing its seafood with liquid vitamins in case there have been any nutritional issues.
So far, so good.


A couple of things that may have been overlooked thus far, one being the sex of the fish, and another being the overall genetic make up of each individual fish within this species. Seeing as there is no real hard data on this species, other than various anecdotal evidence from a small portion of hobbyists personal experiences with Mbu, I personally don't think it's fair to judge the original owners set up, or his "skill" in providing an optimum environment for this particular fish.


I have no idea if the sex of the Mbu makes any real difference in growth rate, but it's a possibility seeing as no one can say one way or the other what the sex of their Mbu was, or is. Also, I've been keeping fish long enough to know that sometimes some fish become runts for reasons other than being stunted by their environment. While it's not what I would consider common place, I've lost count as to how many different species of fish where I have seen genetic runts occur, including both tank raised specimens, as well as those collected in the wild. For whatever reason, it happens.

Either way this little Mbu is going to be spoiled rotten from here on in, so we'll see how things go over the next few months/years.

Thanks for everyone's input.