The Puffer Forum

Hi all,
I new to puffer care, I have had peter for a few weeks now and he is eating well and seems happy. Today when doing his water change I added a teaspoon of salt, he FW at the pet shop and my plan is to slowly introduce him to BW. During the water change his belly turned almost black, like a bruise. About ten minutes after the water change he settled down and turned back to his normal colour.
I figure it was probably stress that caused this to happen, but I was wondering if it is a deffence comaflage mechanisim for when they living in muddy estarys to blend in with the mud or something.
Does anyone know?
thanks

it's okay if they go a bit black when 'something' is going on.... like a water change or something.
as far as i know, it simply means they're bothered.

if it's consistently black, then it could be a problem.
if it was just during the water change, do worry

What kind of salt did you use?

As well, how did you add the salt?

Edit, also, any chance of getting a picture? We adopted a dwarf puffer that was the previous owner told us was a GSP. Anyway, point is, sometimes our dwarf's tummy line (it's a boy) looks a bit reddish, could this be what you're referring to with the red belly?

What about the "red belly"?

yeah, the red belly thing confused me...

It turned black only for a little bit then back to white? and no red?
most likely he was annoyed, didn't like the change, or just reacted to the little bit of salt negatively, but if it's white now then I wouldn't worry.

... I do think is a kind of camouflage, and possibly used in fighting...?

When I say red, it looks like a bruise, like someone has trod on him, it very dark. He all white again now but I did notice last night his whole belly was that dark red colour while he was sleeping. I think he just loves me too much and gets upset when I'm not in the room, I can't help it I have that effect on men!!!

I used marine salt, disolved it in warm water then brought the tempreture up to 28*C before adding to the tank with the rest of the water. He was in a FW tank in the shop so I am doing it gradually the slanity is only at 1.001.

I think it probably was just stress, he has had his food today and seems more than happy and has a nice white although rather full belly.

Aaw, he's a sweetheart!

Maybe it is stress then, as you seem to be doing everything right so far.
If he's still small, you don't need to worry about upping th s.g. too much, unless you want him in a marine tank.

I agree, he looks good so far. My puffers color changes when they sleep as well, and can change depending on their mood, but as long as it doesn't stay black then he should be fine.

Thanks all, Peter is my first puffer fish. i have only every kept FW before so its all new to me good to know i am doing to right thing.
Cheers

I also wondered about the dark belly issue, I had heard various reasons, from the water being too hard, to them not liking their tank mates.
Bonzo and moony usually go a little darker on the belly when they are resting, but are bright white again when they resume activity, it is reasuring to know that all is okay, and there is no problem.

By the way... Hey folks!