The Puffer Forum

Most of the "target"puffers are piscavores to a degree dependent on the exact species, some hunt other fish actively while some eat them as a matter of opportunity.

Well, that explains why neither of my turgiduses would touch snails.

I tried to feed Shellie a snail, she ate half of it, and didn't finish it .. hmm this ID thing is confusing me!

Well I can say that my Abei killed a fish once, but he did not eat it, so maybe Abei's are not such piscivores as the others. Actually, the Fang's is the only one I remember reading that they might take fish as food, but don't recall anything else about the other target species in that regard.

Most of the target species are considered lurkers.. but the degree of how much they lurk varies. A turgidus hides most of the time unless attacking, other than, as Dad and I have found out, a nice little "good morning!" greeting flutter. Abei's don't lurk nearly as much, they are out free swimming quite a bit more, and are probably more of an active hunter that looks for snails, etc rather than trying to sneak up on swimming fish. I wouldn't say they are nearly the "lurkers" that arrowheads, murius, etc are, no buring themselves in sand.. but they are certainly far from the free swimming, active puffers like GSP's, porc's, SAP's, etc.. lots of laying on the ground waiting for something exciting to happen to them.

Bubba, my turgidus, has in the past lived peacefully for months with male endler livebearers.. but every once in a while one would go missing. They are long gone, but he certainly didn't hunt them down and actively kill them in a hunting frenzy like he does with nightcrawlers. Only when he was really hungry (or bored?) or I was out of town for a few days. His favorite foods by far are live nightcrawlers and shrimp. He hates scallops. Will eat snails but only if I partially crush them first, I think so he can smell the blood/meat? He generally won't hunt down a whole one, in fact, I've watched them crawl right over his face. He has eaten live grasshoppers and crickets, if I hold them under with feeding tongs (won't come the surface to catch them).

Lisa, don't feel bad.. the Target group is easily one of the hardest, if not THE hardest, to accurately tell which is which. Half the time, you will get two experts who can't agree, heck I think there are still people who insist mine is not a turgidus.. but I don't worry too much as the care level is mainly the same, no matter what he is.

If you get your hands on the Aqualog Puffer book even.. pages 66-67 are mostly supposedly turgidus. Yet there's at least 3-4 different body shapes, snout lengths, spot sizes, eyespot colors, etc. Then look at the cochinchinensis, on pages 54, and they show a variety of shapes, snouts, eyespot colors again The few pictures they show of cutcutia actually look quite a bit like your puff, same head markings as a turgidus and a black solid eyespot.. but other sources show the cutcutia very differently.

Since that book has come out, there's been TONS of debate as to if those are accurate ID's and photos.. and I'm sure it will just continue. Long story short, the target species ID is a pain in the butt!

After seeing the behaviour of Milly (formally known as Shellie) and her colouring/body shape I would say she is a fangs puffer.. I'm about 98% sure. If she grows to 6 inches I will know I am wrong.. lol

Well Lisa, I own most of the target group, or have owned ... although I've yet to own a Fang's or Leiurus, and yours definitely does not look like any of the ones I have now or have had. Beautiful puffer by the way! I'm sure what you have isn't a turgidus though, as I've just recently gotten another one and my guy is totally different from your pic.

yeah I just thought fangs from the pics in the puffer pedia, maybe she is a cross breed

No, I meant that yours does look like a Fang's. Sorry if I was a bit confusing there. I re-read what I wrote and I can see where it might seem confusing. All I was saying is that yours doesn't remind me of anything I've had, but I've never owned a Fang's yet, so it's very likely that's what your girl is.

OoOoh lol for some reason I thought you had owned a Fangs puffer, so it was my bad too, hehe
I should learn how to read better lol

So we are both silly cows!

Yeah... unfortunately Milly has taken a turn for the worse... she was very lathargic and not moving very much...seemed to have possibly died of old age, I am really not too sure.
She has been burried by our rose bush..


RIP Milly!

aww thats not good. I hope its simple old age, im sure milly has lead a wonderful life

that sucks .. how long have you owned her?

Awww... Lisa, I'm so sorry! Please accept my condolences on your loss.