The Puffer Forum

Hi guys,

a few months back, I took on a canthigaster solandri / jewel puffer, (he wasn't in the best environment and I am searching for someone to take him on as I believe he would be better off in a larger tank. The tank he is currently in is only apx 100litres, but, is a lot better than the one he was in).

He is a fussy eater, and the main thing he will eat is brine shrimp and some flake food.....I have tried all sorts only for him to spit it out and throw it around the tank. He has however, enjoyed eating a lot of my clean up crew: mini brittle stars, stomatella snails, limpets etc etc

Anyway, here's my predicament; he puffs up a lot! This in turn, panics me! He even puffed up today when I was nowhere near the tank and from where I was standing, (stock still), I could see nothing that would have stressed him out to do this. Is there any other reason for him to puff?

Also, we do have a love hate relationship, wherein he hates me. He will often throw himself at the glass to try and chase me off, and will grind his teeth at me, fan his tail, and generally go on the defensive. Yet other times, he'll just keep an eye on me.

Can anyone tell me if this is the norm with solandri's, or, is it just mine?

I don't think thats normal but there are a few things that could cause it. He could be feeling a bit cramped in the tank. What is your PH ammonia nitrite nitrate and sg readings?
Also when was the last water change? Also where are you located?

Hi, and thanks for the reply.

Tank paramaters:

SG 1.025
PH 8 - 8.3
KH 9
Mag 1350
Calc 400
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 15 ish (Have never been able to get it lower.....)

Last water change was on Wednesday.

I live in South East England, and so far, have found it impossible to find someone who will offer him a decent sized home. I did originally have an even smaller tank, but upgraded to what he's currently in to try and offer more space in the interim. Unfortunately, due to differing circumstances, I am unable to do a further upgrade for perhaps a couple of years. I have even asked a couple of local shops to see if they know of anyone who would take him, but am very loathe to just "dump" him with them so they can sell him as I know he will be kept in a smaller set up until he is sold. Also, I cannot guarantee that they will find the correct home for him. Basically; I don't trust them........ (One of said shops actually has a younger solandri in their care, and in my eyes, he looks half starved...... )

That's a shame. It sounds like he's just puffing for the sake of puffing, or because he feel cramped.
I hope he gets a new home soon.

Thanks for that.....

I wish there was an English version of this forum as I'm sure I'd more than likely find him a good home through it.

I'll keep on looking for one for him, I can't bear the thought that he's unhappy even though he's better off now than where he was.....

Kirsty1 wrote:Thanks for that.....

I wish there was an English version of this forum as I'm sure I'd more than likely find him a good home through it.

I'll keep on looking for one for him, I can't bear the thought that he's unhappy even though he's better off now than where he was.....

There are many people from the UK on this forum. I know Hilly and Manutius are in the UK. Perhaps they can help out. I don't know what time it is over there right now. It's 5 pm here and I am on the east coast of the US.

Hi,

its now 11 at night here....

Do you think I should pm them?

Sorry to up the post, but, do you think it would be worth advertising the little fella free to a good home on here?

Yeah that would probablly be you best bet at finding him a real good home. Also someone at a local reef club might be interested too.

Thanks; I'll do that. I've just found some nice pics of him too.

I have had good luck with running a free local ad in our newspaper. I have the option to talk to the person via phone. If all goes well with the phone interview I go visit the person in their home to do the real inspection before I decide if they are suited to take a pet that I may have to adopt out.

As for the puffing...I would not know why. I'm new here trying to learn myself.

Good luck to you and jewel!

Thank you StormySkiez....everyone has been so helpful here.......such a shame I can't find puffer lovers nearby....

I'll definitely be cautious as to who s/he goes to........

Quick update;

he/she has stopped puffing at me and generally just nosing at me now........Does anyone think this could be to do with the moon phase, as if I remember rightly, this also happened apx 1 month ago........

Woudln't surprise me if it did.