The Puffer Forum

If it makes you feel any better Pufferfreak42, I don't think many, if actually any, of my puffers will let me "pet" them, or touch them in any way without getting a bite -- however, I'm sure they still love me.

Thanks pufferpuggirl, that does make me feel better. I've never expected to be able to pet fish like a dog or cat, I'd be happy to have him be happy to see me. I'll just have to give him time, he's still a baby afterall. Plus with my removing all his decor every week, then moving his tank across the room, I don't blame him to be scared of me. I've never been one for patience. This time I will have so find some.

Playing with him at feeding time might also help... hold the food in your hand in the water, and move it around. If that scares him, try keeping your fingers above the water at first, and slowly putting them more and more in the tank. Once he connects you and your hands near the tank with only food, not the tank being torn down, he should become much more affectionate.

Thanks Nick, I'll give that a try tonight. Actually I've done that in the past and he's taken food from my fingers. I'll just have to keep doing it, to be consistant.

I'm amazed by the difference in Puff Puff just by changing his light tonight from a blue bulb to a daylight one. He's much more active, didn't freak out as much when I sat near the tank looking in. He even took a shrimp from my fingers.
He's been looking out at me while I'm at my laptop, I don't want to overdo it though, baby steps. I guess he hated that blue light.
My larger tank is around 8 or 10 inches away from his so I'm hoping he will see my other fishes and maybe interact between glass. That would be cool.

Mine see the other tank and try to swim thru the glass. Its blocked off now. Theyre thinking "food"

Yeah I had to put a towel on the end of one of my tanks because my Abei would see my Congo and would puff up at him.

Excellent news Pufferfreak -- see, there is light at the end of this tunnel!

Thanks pufferpuggirl, I'm feeling a lot better now, I'll be keeping him. He ate again this morning from my fingers.

No one has noticed the other tanks yet. At least I don't think so.

thats awesome hes starting to take to you better! glad to hear it. mine is mad at me right now, we moved saturday and he wouldnt even go near my fingers at all yesterday even though i got him a nice treat at the grocery store... big clams and scallops! he wasnt mad when eating but before and after he still didnt come near me he will get over it

Took several days for my puffers to come near me after I did their teeth Normally takes about a day after I do things in their tank. If I haven't bothered they're near me half the day looking for food and play 'follow the finger' like seasoned experts

Funny how fish hold a grudge, good thing it's only for short time. Today I will be ticking mine off. Not only will it be his first fast day but it's also tank cleaning day. This time I won't be removing the decor. Hopefully he won't be too mad for too long.