The Puffer Forum

Hey, KingFUGU, that's great news, I hope he continues to become more alert and active.

That's great that he's coming around. Please keep us updated!

pufferpuggirl wrote:Actually Neale, I have your book, the Aqualog book, and the PFK one too.

Cool!

pufferpuggirl wrote: Thing is, no offense, but yours is only about the brackish species, the Aqualog doesn't really address illnesses and internal parasites, etc., and like you said, the PFK one might be cute, but it's not really a "reference" book.

Yes, you're right. All three are very different.

The Aqualog book has its strengths and weaknesses, but like most Aqualog books, it's written primarily for expert fishkeepers interested in identifying species. It isn't a "cook book" of pufferfish maintenance, though it contains much in its pages that is very useful to know.

The PFK one is an oddity; very readable, and with some nice photos, but some stuff in its pages that is very debatable. The whole chapter on Carinotetraodon lorteti contains only photos of Carinotetraodon irrubesco, and the description (i.e., red tail fins rather than blue) seems to be of Carinotetraodon irrubesco as well. On the other hand, the comments on behaviour imply an aggressive, intolerant fish, and that's more like Carinotetraodon lorteti than Carinotetraodon irrubesco. There's other stuff too that doesn't quite work for me, such as describing SAPs as aggressive towards each other; that figure-8s can be kept in soft (!) freshwater; and the hopeless confusion between Tetraodon steindachneri, Tetraodon fluviatilis, and the figure-8 puffer (which one photo caption suggests might be the same species!). All this is very odd because Chris Ralph is a very well respected fishkeeper in the UK, with lots of magazine articles to his name, and he's also a lecturer on fishkeeping at Sparsholt College.

pufferpuggirl wrote: I just thought with your knowledge of puffer biology, and the way you've been able to explain things on here, it might be a good idea for a book. There's really nothing in print that tells us about feeding puffers, or about the thiaminase problem, or any really good information on internal parasites. It would be nice to have something to refer to when there's problems. Sort of a "trouble-shooting" guide for puffer keepers, if you will.

A very good idea. I will certainly ruminate on this, and run the idea past a publisher. Even better, forum members might well want to submit some photos for the book, and have their inflatable fish immortalised on paper!

Cheers, Neale

I've always wanted to write a "Pocket Puffer Guide".
Something simple with many profiles & pics with care, feeding & treatment for diseases. A small book that was affordable, even for just the "puffer curious" types.

You should! I'd buy it for sure! there isn't alot of books out there about puffers

Yeah... just got to sit down & do it. I'm sure TFH would pick up the publishing.

Well if you get around to it and need some photos your welcome to use any of mine!

Thanks, I already considered that.

I personally think there's a real need out there for another puffer book. As I mentioned to Neale Monks, there's not much on freshwater puffers and I think we need more information in print on how to keep a healthy puffer. Internal parasites seem to be a big problem in puffers, yet there's very little information on how to deal with them. Maybe if there were a source of information in print, it might help future puffer keepers from making some serious mistakes and therefore save puffers lives. As wonderful as I think the Aqualog book is, it doesn't really give you any practical information as far as how to keep a puffer in a home aquarium. Like Neale said, it does a very good job of identifying puffer species, and I love it for that fact alone ... but it would be nice to have something for "trouble-shooting" puffer problems. Something to refer to when there's a serious situation with my puffer, along with other practical information about types of food to offer, medications, trimming teeth, etc.

Well, it probably wouldn't be too much work, as everything needed is right here, between the Pufferpedia & Library articles.

Give us an Update KingFUGU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

busybones wrote:Give us an Update KingFUGU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update as requested:
I am pleased to announce aganist all my feelings I have not feed Chongo. Also he is begging like a two year old for a piece of candy. No tongs needed I just walk up to the tank and he flutters his fins and starts to beg. That makes me smile. I have been doing some vision testing and he is very responding positively and I am in total agreement I was too nice and fed to much and helped him be lazy. I did notice this morning before I left it seemed he is taking an interest in the danios, I will see if he eats any or chases them and I will let you know tomorrow. Sunday is my day for the fiddler crab and I will let you know how he responds to that as well. thanks for all your concern and I will continue to update

I am really quite happy to hear of how Chongo is responding and it sounds like things are looking up. It's nice to hear a success story and I always love it when good things happen. I'm sure you probably feel good too, and smiling is always a good thing, isn't it?

Will be interesting to hear how Chongo does with the fiddler, I am looking forward to hearing about it.

All the best to you and Chongo!

Great news!

Sunday's Feeding.............
Great news I dropped in two red claw crabs. Though I still don't feel Chongo was his usually instant hunt and destory self he did react quickly to the presence of the crabs in the tank. One he hovered over and sucked him up for some food the other crab quickly hid under the wood. Chongo spent some time getting around the tank and looking for more food, I feel like this issue was due to over feeding and that I have him well on the way to recovery, thanks again for all of the help!!