The Puffer Forum

Posting more to vent my concern than anything. I haven't seen my little buddy in 2 days. I just moved the decor around, because he usually comes out if he is inside. I did this yesterday as well, and haven't seen him. He could be in the mangrove, and my concern then is I have a 5" red tail shark who I haven't been able to get out of the tank because he hides and won't come out. My concern comes in that maybe the redtail smushed him. One other place he could be in the decor but he isn't coming out if he is in there.

Just concerned.......

Did he dig himself into the substrate?

It's a rock and shell substrate. I'm not so sure he can dig into it. I looked it over and haven't seen him though.

Your guy is so little I don't blame you for not being able to find him.
He's probably just hiding somewhere in that big tank - fish are pretty amazing hiders. I definitely wouldn't make any assumptions or be too worried at this point.

Those fake tree roots often have hollow areas that fish can squeeze themselves into. You probably wouldn't know he's in there until he decides to come out.

As for the red tailed shark, even baby puffers are capable of inflicting a nasty bite. I'm sure if he was getting squished he'd be able to get the shark away from him.

I don't think puffers are that smushable. I bet he's hiding in the substrate. Take your finger or a chopstick & run it through.

Will do. Just got a little concerned since I haven't seen him for 2 days. I think I have just the tool, like a chopstick. And he was so small, I didn't know if that big redtail shark could have smushed him or not. Thanks for the positive feedback, =)

Pufferpunk wrote:I don't think puffers are that smushable. I bet he's hiding in the substrate. Take your finger or a chopstick & run it through.

This made me laugh. I automatically thought about sushi.

yunachin wrote:

Pufferpunk wrote:I don't think puffers are that smushable. I bet he's hiding in the substrate. Take your finger or a chopstick & run it through.

This made me laugh. I automatically thought about sushi.

lol.. poisonous at that!

I still haven't seen him, and haven't went after him with chopsticks yet. I hope he's okay. I'll have to take a look around tomorrow.

I totally freaked, when after a few days of having my Congo, she was gone. I looked everywhere, in/around the outside/under the tank. I just couldn't figure it out. One of my non-fishy friends actaully asked if fish ever borrow in the sand. Duh... totally forgot about that one. Found her in the sand...

Yeah he is probably waiting to ambush something.

I have small rock though for substrate. Hopefully he has been in some of hte decor. Just find it strange I guess. I can't figure anywhere else he would be. My concern is I hope he isn't dead. =(

Although, I see no reason why that would be. Hopefully he comes out and lets me know he's okay within the next week... lol



I do appreciate both of you and your optimism. =)

Didn't you say he was small?

about an inch in length.

Yeah I can understand that he would be hiding.
Mine gets lost sometimes in the drift wood that I have in the tank. Some way he can twist himself into the little knots in there.
I freak out but then he comes out again like nothing ever happened.
Puffers=blamelessness. lol

He still hasn't shown up in what has now been 5 days. I have to go looking for him. I can't imagine he has been hiding that long. I haven't fed him in 2 days. Figure he would at least come out in search of food.

There are a tons of small snails in there though.