The Puffer Forum

My guys are about 2 days in their new home. They seem to spend most of their time swimming with their nose against the glass. Is that normal? Are they settling in?

that usually means they are bored and chasing their reflection...
... or begging for food.

mine did that for a while, but I added stuff to the tank and now they don't do it.

Indeed, they're likely just bored or really want your attention. Can you post pictures of the tank's setup? That way we can see if you might need to add more things. One suggestion would be to make a bunch of caves and rocky areas for them to explore. They are inquisitive little critters and would thoroughly enjoy any new structure you add in.

General rule for a dp tank. If you can see the back of the tank, you need more plants.

Here is what I got.... These plants suck by the way. I don't think they are ever going to grow roots! Also I ordered a background today so it should be here mid week. It's a double sided with blue on one side and planted tank on the other..... Please tell me what I can do to help these guys out with out spending $$$$. My wife is already about to kill me fro all the $$ I have spend in the last few days on our two tanks. Also they don't seem to be too interested in the food items I have tried to feed and they don't seem to notice me too much. But they do seem to be pretty healthy.

You just need some taller plants.
How many watts is your tank? Java moss grows fast and does great in low light tanks.
I also have watersprite which grows like crazy (and needs about medium-high watt tanks)
I have those plants in the middle right and all the way on the left too, mine are just starting to grow after 2 weeks.

Yea it's moneywort and hornwort I think in there now and it's giving me fits by not rooting. I have a 15w tube buld that came with the hood. Thats all. I could go get some of those Aquarium lilly bulbs from Petco. They grow tall and fast and are dirt cheap.

Yeah moneywort! I drew a complete blank lol.

Another option (assuming you have no snow) is to go around to ponds/forests and get a whole bunch of rocks, then build rock piles in the tank. I just got a whole bunch from someone and put it in my puffer tank, so I'll take a picture and show you what I mean. Plus it gives lots of little holes for them to explore!

Go to my site and I'll try to post up a picture soon:
http://www.agnateproductions.com/images/puffers/

With a 15w bulb, I'd forget about live plants & get some nice, bushy silk or plastic ones.

Agnate wrote:Another option (assuming you have no snow) is to go around to ponds/forests and get a whole bunch of rocks, then build rock piles in the tank. I just got a whole bunch from someone and put it in my puffer tank, so I'll take a picture and show you what I mean. Plus it gives lots of little holes for them to explore!

Go to my site and I'll try to post up a picture soon:
http://www.agnateproductions.com/images/puffers/

That does look nice. There are plenty of nice stones out here. Thats one good thing about living out in the country.

Yeah, when summer hits here, I'm going out to my gf's property and getting a whole ton of slate rock. ^_^

I would akso suggest you put a background on the tank too. The more secure the puffs feel the less stress they will display. If you can add some more light that would suit you better, some cryptocorines for low ground cover and shelter and some vallisnera would be a good addition IMO