Mystery Puffer

[imafry]

So this is the guy that I had told you all about a while back. He sat pathetically at the LFS for a few weeks and today the owner told me I could take him home if I thought I could perk him up a bit. To do that I gotta know what kind he is. My LFS guy had no idea.
THis is the best pic I could get of him. He is about 3.5-4 inches from nose to tip of tail. Dark brown/black. Red eyes. Mottled complexion, maybe some stripes, also some spots. Hard to tell he is so stressed.

[Myaj]

If you can get a photo of a side view, that would help a lot.

From this angle, I'm going to guess a turgidus, or one of the other target species. Basic info is freshwater, lurker or semi-lurker. Gets to be 4-6" or so, aggressive to tankmates. If it is a turgidus, they just aren't very active, only coming out really to eat. Mine really only sits in his cave, sometimes at night he moves around a bit. Some of the other target species are a bit more active.

He could be one of the red eye's, but at 4" that's pretty big.. a side view would help clear it up quite a bit though.

[imafry]

He just moved for me so I got a better pic..

[Myaj]

Definately one of the target puffers. They are notoriously hard to tell apart sometimes.. could be a Fangs (cochinchinensis) see here: http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/ug. ... chinensis/

Hopefully one of our mentors will be along shortly, they are pretty good and figuring out the targets.

[imafry]

Also, he doesn't seem to be interested in eating. He was quiet when I got him home, then he seemed to perk up and swim around a bit and now he is sitting in the corner and didn't even flinch when I smacked him around a bit with some food. In fact he didn't even flipper his copter wings when I poke him with teh fish net.

[Corvus]

Definately one of the target puffers. They are notoriously hard to tell apart sometimes.. could be a Fangs (cochinchinensis) see here: http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/ug. ... chinensis/

Hopefully one of our mentors will be along shortly, they are pretty good and figuring out the targets.

I agree with Myaj, I think a larger black ocellus spot can be seen in front of the caudal peduncle.
He may need some more time to feel comfortable, but you should also check water parameters.
For feeding try a small live earthworm from a toxin safe garden, other small live foods, whatever he ate at the shop (as long as it is adequate for puffers).

[Agnate]

Also, you might try dimming the tank lights a bit. It doesn't always help, but sometimes puffers just like less light, and you might find that he's a bit more comfortable like that. His stomach is pretty dark, though, which might be an indication that there's something in the water he doesn't like.

Do you have the readings from the tank's water? Might have been a bigger bioload than your tank/filter could handle off the start. If that's the case (that there is ammonia and nitrite readings), I'd go pick up some Prime (or use it if you have some) to ease off the toxins until the bacteria can build up.

[imafry]

He looks ALOT better now, and I can now tell he is a Monotrete Turgidus (brown puffer). I am upset, but it is 100% my fault. My hubby heard "bang bang bang" coming from the tank earlier. He peeked in and didn't the puffer have my nice blue cichlid in his mouth, tail first, and chomped him cleanly in half. My poor fish. He is going back tomorrow - I fear for the other cichlid's lives. But the meal seemed to have done him well. he is a much better color now LOL

[Jase]

sorry about your cichlid, but it's good he had a nice meal.

[pufferfreak]

Sorry about your cichlid. But the puffer got a good feast.

[yunachin]

My Fahaka ate a rare cichlid when I first got him. So I know how you feel.