The Puffer Forum

First off Rainy is now Harry. The little one announces this out of the blue. I don't know, he likes Dave Letterman so maybe he named the pufer after Dave's little boy. Who knows?

So anyway, I go to check on Harry and the minute he sees me he acts like I'm some kind of monster! He wrapped his tail and quickly backed away from me and swam around rather crazy like. Almost like something is wrong with him. I was shocked so I sat there for a bit. He's really upset! I'm thinking "great, my first babies were sick and now this one is going to hate me." I was really puzzled at this behavior. I let my little one feed Harry tonight with the turkey baster. Harry was getting pretty fat so I told my little boy to take the baster out. About that time the food came loose and Harry grabbed it. I tried to use the baister to get it but there was no way. So after I rinsed my hands and arms I stuck my hand in the tank and took his shrimp. Can a GSP get mad over that? Are they really like that? I've had dogs pout at me but a fish?! Are puffers that smart????? Do they really react like that?? I'm baffled. I've read posts on here where people mentioned that their fish got mad at them but I figure they're humanizing the fish. Am I wrong about that? It's hard to believe, but that's all I can come up with. He was fine with me earlier. First I thought that maybe he's connecting me to the catahoula dog that he doesn't like. But the more I thought about it I remembered earlier today when our small dog was on my lap and she and Harry were nose to nose and Harry didn't mind. I just don't know what to think!

Hugs, Beth

My GSP was mad at me when I did a water change, and since he's been in his new tank I can tell he appreciates the better water quality, but I think he's still peeved at me for catching him in a teacup from his old tank. They seem to be moody, but I'm sure yours will settle in and forget his grudge after a while.

My husband went in there a few minutes ago and he said Harry acted the same way to him. My husband doesn't go in there and sit with Harry much at all.

Hubby thinks I'm nuts. I know that fish recognizes different dogs and people. He probably knows it was me that took his food.

Yesterday before I did a water change I showed Harry the vac and then put it in the tank for a good hr. By the time I started cleaning he stayed about 5" from my arm. Thanks to the forum for teaching me that.
He was on the right side of the tank when I started putting water in the left side. I about croaked when I suddenly noticed that he was being knocked all over the place with the pouring water. Can't believe he swam into that.

His behavior is disturbing me. Of course my first thought is that he has some parasites. One time when I'd bought some new FW fish I got up the next morn. to find them swimming like crazy and crashing into the glass. I teated for external parasites and didn't lose one of them. I don't know....these puffers make me a nervous wreck. I'm going to have to go on valium if this keeps up.

Hugs...

jinnan-tonnyx wrote:My GSP was mad at me when I did a water change, and since he's been in his new tank I can tell he appreciates the better water quality, but I think he's still peeved at me for catching him in a teacup from his old tank. They seem to be moody, but I'm sure yours will settle in and forget his grudge after a while.

It sometimes takes awhile for new puffers to get used to the tank and the people looking in at them and everything. He will warm up to you in time. I would just try and hang out in front of his tank a lot.

My fish are all in the same room I spend all of my time so they see me a lot and got used to me pretty quick but if he isn't in a really active place it might take awhile.

Thank you again Shannon. What would I do without you.

I hang out in the dinning room quiet a bit so he should get real used to me. For some reason though my oldest can walk in there and put his finger on the tank and Harry swims right up to it. Not for anyone else though. Go figure.

I've thought about taking my other 30gal from my son who is housing gerbils in there [ how on earth did he talk me into that?] and setting it up here in the bedroom. It would have to have a pretty quiet smooth filter though. During the day I'm in the dinning room and at night I'm here in the bed room. I could have a puffer in 2 rooms! And then there's that empty tank sitting on the living room floor 40-50gal. can't remember but it's long and tall...see where this is going?

Hugs...

SpockthePuffer wrote:It sometimes takes awhile for new puffers to get used to the tank and the people looking in at them and everything. He will warm up to you in time. I would just try and hang out in front of his tank a lot.

My fish are all in the same room I spend all of my time so they see me a lot and got used to me pretty quick but if he isn't in a really active place it might take awhile.

lol, I started with a 1 gallon betta bowl a year ago and now I have 2 10 gallon, a 30 gallon and a 55 gallon. And they are all in my bed room/computer room. It can get noisy sometimes but I just sleep with a blanket over my head to block out the noise, lol. And more puffers is always the way to go, they're irresistible!

LizB wrote:
...His behavior is disturbing me. Of course my first thought is that he has some parasites. One time when I'd bought some new FW fish I got up the next morn. to find them swimming like crazy and crashing into the glass. I teated for external parasites and didn't lose one of them. I don't know....these puffers make me a nervous wreck. I'm going to have to go on valium if this keeps up.

LOL, I was the same way in Nov/Dec 07 when my husband talked me into buying 2 cute little gsp's after I found out what it takes to keep these guys healthy and the fact that we have never had fish before. It gets better providing you were sold healthy fish to start with. Like ppl have said puffers can be Moody...hehe but we still love em!

My puffers have gotten mad at me at various times, they always get over it eventually. I actually like the moving water noises from my tanks, drowns out annoying background noise, like my own personal white noise machine.

Some puffers don't like people wearing red clothes. Could that be an issue with yours?

My Hufflepuff is the one who can get really grumpy with me. I've seen him sulking in a corner for two hours, because he didn't like the food I gave him.

Haha, yeah, I'm sure you've read that mine have been pretty moody with me lately. Allakazam does the *same* thing your GSP does: he curls his tail and backs away when I come in close. I've decided it's likely because they're still very young, and they probably don't understand why they're stuck where they are. Try not to fret too much over it. Just make sure that your ammonia and nitrite are at zero, that your nitrates are as low as possible, and you keep a consistent salt level. Other than that, get used to how moody your cute little puffer can be!

Also, with regards to a tank in your bedroom. If you're worried about noise, pick up the Eheim canister filters. They're absolutely SILENT and have decent water flow (for a 30-40 gallon, a 2215 or 2217 are probably your best bet). They're a bit more expensive, though, so look around for used ones, or keep an eye at the store to see if they go on sale. I keep a 2213 on my 55 gallon with 2 HOBs, and assuming the water level is close to the filter outputs, you don't really hear any noise at all. Just don't put an air pump in, as those things vibrate and make a ton of noise.

Hey Paul, it's good to "see" you. I just love the way Harry uses his tail like a rudder I can't help but giggle a bit. He's doing a little better. If I sit pretty still and keep my face about a foot away he hangs out and looks at me, but if the big head gets too close there goes that rudder. That is such a new thing for me and my family. He also swims with his tail wrapped around a lot. I swear he is so cute!

Ya know, he doesn't seem to mind my arm in the tank at all. He stays a few inches away. My FW fish used to suck on one of my freckles so I'll be curious to see if he does that. I have 2 freckles that are dark so maybe he will think they're snails.

I'm so happy that I finally got the nitrate down to 10. Ya know I cleaned the heck out of that tank after the poor F8's died. I was a bit concerned about all of that cleaning but the water is great now. Ammonia 0, Nitrites, 0 and pH the ever so steady 8.2.

The more I've thought about a tank in the bed room I could see the quiet hum of a canister as being a soothing sound once I got used to it.

I love how you are such a bargain hunter. We are definitlely alike in that area. I told my husband about you I and think he's thrilled that I have a puffer buddy that looks for good deals.

Talk to you soon.

Agnate wrote:Haha, yeah, I'm sure you've read that mine have been pretty moody with me lately. Allakazam does the *same* thing your GSP does: he curls his tail and backs away when I come in close. I've decided it's likely because they're still very young, and they probably don't understand why they're stuck where they are. Try not to fret too much over it. Just make sure that your ammonia and nitrite are at zero, that your nitrates are as low as possible, and you keep a consistent salt level. Other than that, get used to how moody your cute little puffer can be!

Also, with regards to a tank in your bedroom. If you're worried about noise, pick up the Eheim canister filters. They're absolutely SILENT and have decent water flow (for a 30-40 gallon, a 2215 or 2217 are probably your best bet). They're a bit more expensive, though, so look around for used ones, or keep an eye at the store to see if they go on sale. I keep a 2213 on my 55 gallon with 2 HOBs, and assuming the water level is close to the filter outputs, you don't really hear any noise at all. Just don't put an air pump in, as those things vibrate and make a ton of noise.

My goodness! Can they really see colors?! I am amazed at how well he sees. I've noticed he will be hiding and peeking at me and if I move my arm too fast he definitely responds.

I swear these guys seem more puppy like everyday.

Thank you for the kind welcome. It's my pleasure to talk to you all. You feel like family.

Hugs, beth

Troender wrote:Some puffers don't like people wearing red clothes. Could that be an issue with yours?

My Hufflepuff is the one who can get really grumpy with me. I've seen him sulking in a corner for two hours, because he didn't like the food I gave him.