The Puffer Forum

Did your bichirs swim around a lot while the Schoutedeni Puffer was in the tank?

If bichirs are mostly nocturnal, I'm wondering if problems could have started when the schoutedeni was sedentary at night, and the bichirs were out looking for food? Maybe the schoutedeni felt threatened, and it started an antagonistic relationship. Maybe it's just not a good combination.

Also, my schoutedeni are territorial about snails. Not other foods, but definitely snails. Do bichirs eat snails?

They do not.

The fish that he nipped are my most active bichirs and swim around a lot during the day. They as a rule are more active during dark hours, but so are the plecos, and he didn't bother them.

Bichirs don't eat snails (maybe they'd try for something large like a rabbit or mystery snail but not the small ones). I was feeding them on the bottom and feeding the puffer with tongs to be sure he got his share so I just don't know.

When I saw him nip my Polli, she had swum a little bit but then was just sitting on the bottom at the front of the tank, not moving. He slowly approached her, eyed her up, and then bit her. I was trying to tap on the glass to stop him but he basically just stuck his middle finger up at me.

Because they look like giant worms!

Yep!

Ultimately, I'm bummed that he couldn't stay with the polys, but hey, I still get a puffer and he can still live with other fish. And my shrimp tank inhabitants get an upgrade because of him.

I have a full 20 gallon setup coming to me cheap this weekend off of offerup.

But here is the current setup and a couple of pics from today.


This is the poly that I saw the puffer chomp - the smaller one in front.



Puffer in bottom right in the 10 gallon jungle. I let it go a bit wild for more shrimplet hiding places, plus it's more fun to stare at the jungle up close to find all of the tiny fish.



Hi. Hi. Hey. I love worms... I mean.... you. Yeah, that's what I meant. You.

magpie wrote: ↑Thu May 11, 2017 11:49 am When I saw him nip my Polli, she had swum a little bit but then was just sitting on the bottom at the front of the tank, not moving. He slowly approached her, eyed her up, and then bit her. I was trying to tap on the glass to stop him but he basically just stuck his middle finger up at me.

I'm not laughing that your Polli got bit....I was chuckling at the middle finger salute scenario.

Since we don't have a lot of information about these guys, it's great to share our experiences on here.

And, btw, I loved your pictures.

Rotfl at the middle finger! "Whateva I do what I want!" Love the 10g! I'm the same way! I'm good with details so I like to get up close and search for things lol

Yeah, that's one of the reasons I wanted to come back and share so that potential owners can be aware. Like you said - very little out there in these guys!

Love the Cartman reference!

Hehe was hoping someone would get it!

Does anyone else see their Schoutedeni Puffer constantly blink their eye sometimes?

Well actually I found a scratch on the Schoutedeni Puffer eye, I was told by wet spot that it will heal up on it's own, anyone else has a suggestion?

Melafix

Thanks, I did use melafix but he cured his own eyes by constantly blinking and now he is happily swimming around.