Puffer Stressed?? ... added a lionfish

[dkinder]

I have a 9-10" Melagris Puffer in one of my 125 gallon tanks along with tankmates of a 5-6" Clown Trigger, a 6-7" Naso Tang, and a 5-6" Changing Emporer Angel. All inhabitants were very peaceful with each other, and everyone was very happy until my most recent change - the addition of a 9-10" Lionfish. My puffer now seems very sad. He refused to eat squid (which he LOVES) earlier today. He is also much less responsive to me, and seems to just "mope" around. As I write this, he has backed up into a rock hiding spot and is just hovering. This breaks my heart, because by far he is my favorite fish. The Lionfish has not bullied him (although he certainly put my Trigger in his spot about an hour after being added to the tank), and I have also looked all over his body to make sure there were no whelps from a sting, and he is clear, so I think it is just stress. Do you guys think this is just stress for a few days and will subside once some time has passed and everyone acclimates to each other or should I be worried?

The only other change I have made is that I began feeding my puffer a lot more than I was before after visiting my local pet store and seeing that their Golden puffer who was smaller than mine the last time I had seen him was now bigger than mine. The puffer seemed to respond VERY well to the additional feeding, as his color got much, much richer. I now feed him once per day, with a 2" by 3" block of squid and a cube of mysis shrimp. Prior to this his feeding was a small piece of squid and a cube of shrimp. This is the only other change that has occurred that could be affecting him.

[crazedpuffer]

Sounds like he is stressing. It sounds like kind of alot of food, what are your perams? A water change should help. Also do you have plans for an upgrade? That tank is overstocked which could be stressing out your puffer.

[Predator 1]

I would be suprised if your Puffer is upset at the addition of a Volitan. I have a Golden A. Meleagris living with a 12 inch Volitan, and they exist in perfect harmony. Puffers and Volitans are aware of the Toxins that they both have, so any type of conflict is out of the question. It could be the sudden increase in feeding that has upset his nature. Never compare your fishes size to another, after all, we are all shapes and sizes.
I was interested in your remark about the Volitan putting the Clown Trigger "in his spot". Was you aware that the Clown Trigger is one, of only two, known speciese that can dissmantle and destroy a Volitan (Cornet Fish being the other) They begin by tearing out the hypodermic spines, renedering the Volitan deffenceless. Then the Clown Trigger will slowly, and methodicly tear the Volitan apart, with a smile on its face. You should observe closly for any signs of this happening, any release of Volitan venom can wipe out the benificial bacteria in your system.

[manutius]

Great advice predator

[t1gerbee]

They begin by tearing out the hypodermic spines, renedering the Volitan deffenceless. Then the Clown Trigger will slowly, and methodicly tear the Volitan apart, with a smile on its face. You should observe closly for any signs of this happening, any release of Volitan venom can wipe out the benificial bacteria in your system.

fish are NOT friends... it would seem.

[jimi]

no kidding

[Pufferpunk]

Wow, I think that lion needs a new home! You already have potentionally quite a bioload in that tank. Did you research the adult sizes of all these fish? Do yo have a sump? Are you planning on an upgrade?