The Puffer Forum

Hey all,

Just thought I would post some observations of my Valentini's sleeping patterns to gain others' experience and/or to educate other Valentini owners.

Ive had Diddy for about a year and a half. He has always slept attached to something- it seems like he puffs himself out a little bit and then sticks himself to a surface. He has 'beds', and will sleep in that same spot until it gets moved/he grows too big. He used to always sleep on the magnet cleaner, attaching himself on the side of it so he was vertical with his head facing upwards. However, we would move the magnet cleaner (not purposely- just needed to clean the glass) and he would get quite aggitated if it was in a high flow area. He has since found a few different spots on the rocks, and definately prefers the low flow areas, and seems to like facing forwards so he can see most of the tank, and what's going on in the room.

When the lights weren't on a timer he would get VERY grumpy if he was tired and wanted to go to bed, but the lights were still on. He would stare at us until we realised what he wanted, or he would go to bed but look very angry ('angry' being defined as a dark greyish colour on his nose and mean looking eyes). Since the lights have been on a timer he seems happy and his sleeping patterns seem quite regulated. He occaisonally goes to bed before lights off, but never looks as settled.

Recently, Diddy has taken to napping during the day. Ive read in the past people have had puffers that nap during the day, and then stay awake at night, presumably to hunt the creatures that come out. However, Diddy is still getting his full 7 hours during the night- I assume, I havent actually stayed up all night to watch him... not quite that obsessed yet. It is really quite cute, he has a 'day bed' that he naps on, its a little bit of rock rubble down the side of the tank, and he naps only when no one is around. When we enter the room, he straight away gets up and starts swimming around, and looks kinda embarrassed that we caught him napping!

Anyway, thats my spiel, I'm concluding that Diddy is getting lazy with his old age- even though he isn't old.

Anyone elses opinions?

Louis (Canthigaster Papua) has the same sleeping patterns except doesn't nap, and never goes to bed when the lights are on, he is more of a rebel I think.

I have noticed my valentini sleeping in the corner on the glass every night, head pointing up, behind the stick-on thermometer. I don't know how he holds on there.

They must have like an adhesive tummy or something! Does your Papua/Solandri sleep like that too?

I can never find him at night. Must be in one of the caves.

I'm so relieved though. He got thru the big anemone "attack" with only a few scars left. Eating FD plankton as we speak!

Big anenome attack? Do tell!

I actually posted this after it 1st happened in a panic but then was afraid of what the other posters would think of my taking such a chance with my fish & deleted it.

I have a huge tube anemone that all my other fish have seemed to know not to go near (except the stupid feeder guppies--they swam right into it, like flies to a light!). The 1st day I brought the bluespot home I was thrilled to see it eating & getting along with everyone else. The next morning I was in complete horror, when I found it laying in a corner on it's side, totally grey. I went to my LFS to tell them it was dying. I mentioned there was a dwarf lionfish in there & they thought it had gotten stung by it. After some more examination of the tank, I noticed the tube anemone was laying sideways, which is pretty strange, since it's attached to the bottom glass thru about 6" of sand. I had to manually straighten it. I was looking closer at the apparent paralized puffer & saw burn stripes/scarring across it's body & put 2 & 2 together. I can just imagine what a sight it must have been, when the puffer went to rest in the nice, soft anemone, only to have it wrap it's very stinging tentacles around it, pulling the poor puffer towards it's ever-hungry mouth. I assume the puffer puffed, struggled & while yanking itself free, pulled the anemone across the tank.

For a week, the puffer layed there--grey, only able to move it's eyes. No one ever bothered him. A couple of times I had to nudge him to see if he was even alive. Then, I saw him swim, just a little & settle somewhere else. Every day he was looking better & then I noticed his blue spots were back! Now he is acting just as normal as the other puffers, except for the scars. Eating & swimmming like a champ, getting a little tummy bulge now. I bet he never goes near that anemone again though!

Ouch! That must have hurt! Poor thing! I'm glad it pulled through.

Well, back to sleeping habits. I don't know about SW puffers, but I know about FW puffers. My c. salivator has strange sleeping habits. He sleeps in every strange angle possible. Mostly he sleeps or rests standing vertically in the water, head up. But I've also seen him sleep on his side (I thought he was dead!). I've several times had to stick my hand into the water to check whether he was alive. And that puffer seems to sleep or rest all the time. That can be because he is my shyest puffer, and don't want to come out in open space. So what else can he do but sleep?

Glad to hear your puffers doing good PP.
Interesting stories, My dp would sleep in a log decor on the part that's open so everyone can see, and a few times I found the other one sleeping like an otto with it's mouth against the glass.
Lately Shelby sleeps with her head under a small piece of live rock. I can't wait to get her out of quarantine.

My Baron (Porcupine Puffer) sleeps at night in between two rocks in the back of the tank.
He also naps during the day sometime, which when I first noticed this I freaked thinking he was dead and almost had to poke him to see if he was ok.
He gets perturbed if his nap is interrupted during the day, but he sleeps right up in the front of the tank where we walk by frequently. But if that is what he wants then....lol

my valentini sleeps pointing upright clinging (somehow) onto a rock surface.

He also hates it if I turn the lights on too early which I occasionally have to do... (if i have to leave v. early for work etc..)

The other fish all swim about no matter what time I turn the lights on, but he stays clung to his rock for ages if its too early.. I can just imagine him going, 'turn the lights off.. it can't be morning!'

Even when he does begrudgingly get up he just hovers for a bit... it's so like he's tired and isn't quite awake yet.

bless him. So much personality!


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