The Puffer Forum

Hi All,
great site here. I do recognize a few names from years back..i.e. Pufferpunk..excited to be back. I was walking through town yesterday and found this puffer in absolutely horrible conditions. He looked so unbelievably sad..so I rescued him. Do you know what kind puffer he is? My best guess is a target puffer. Any recommendations on keeping this fish..feeding type (the usual?)..tank mates..(even possible?)...I usually have Fahaka's. Already noticed he isn't that active at all...just kind of sits there. Sorry about the poor quality pics..best my blackberry could do.

Tnx.

Looks like a turgidus. Check out our Pufferpedia for comparison (under the "learn" tab above).

Hey Pufferpunk, I used to be called "Fahakaman"....I agree with you that he's a Tetraodon turgidus. Im glad I saved him but can't help being a tad disappointed now knowing that things have got as exciting as they are going to get with him. Hard to go from a Fahaka to this.

Looks identical to mine. So the red spot in the target visible in the pics is not the right location of red? If so I have a Turgidas as wll.

There actually is no red spot on him. I see where it should be but it's just a larger dark spot there...I'll see if it came out today. How do you enjoy having him? I just can't bring myself to bring him back ..so I'm thinking of setting up an octagon tank for the little guy and continuing my search for a Fahaka baby...been looking for 1.5 months with no success.

Yeah, they're nothing like a fahaka.

I have two of these, and the general concensus is that they are turgidus. They like to lurk in caves, but will sometimes venture out into the open. Some of it depends on individual personality, as one of mine is far more outgoing (and more often out of the caves).

I like mine but the puffer does just sit near under my driftwood surrounded by my plants and disappear. I may add a little cave but I think the cover is good already. I have to say the lack of movement is dissapointing but when my puffer does move its very fun to see. I think I may take the puffer out of my show tank (rimless and very pretty) though and put in two Apistos. Maybe put the puffer in a less planted 20g long tank with lots of rocks and driftwood. I also still plan on obtaining a 30g for two F8's and some bumble bee gobies. As my fix for movement wasn't met by the little guy but I am definately attached. God I hate multitank disease.

Also I swear I see a red dot in picture three, of your original post, inside the "target"/false eye.

These puffers really do need caves. Several, IMO. They like "deep" hiding places where they can be completely ensconced.

KJB wrote:I like mine but the puffer does just sit near under my driftwood surrounded by my plants and disappear. I may add a little cave but I think the cover is good already. I have to say the lack of movement is dissapointing but when my puffer does move its very fun to see. I think I may take the puffer out of my show tank (rimless and very pretty) though and put in two Apistos. Maybe put the puffer in a less planted 20g long tank with lots of rocks and driftwood. I also still plan on obtaining a 30g for two F8's and some bumble bee gobies. As my fix for movement wasn't met by the little guy but I am definately attached. God I hate multitank disease.

Also I swear I see a red dot in picture three, of your original post, inside the "target"/false eye.

His color has really been changing almost daily. I'll checkout the red dot tonight again and let ya know. Im going to do up a nice little 35G tank for this guy....lots of hiding places as recommended. He's cute...

If there is a red dot, it will be very obvious, and it will not change with color/mood changes.
Here is a pic of the red dot on baby cochinchinensis:

Yeah lighting seems to be a huge factor on coloring. Try looking at it with lights on that’s the only time I see red in the target. I swear I have never seems a fish with such a high level of camouflage. I lose sight of my fish all the time and its favorite spot is only 3 inches from the front glass.

The red dot seems to be there at all times but its much smaller then in your picture. Content2swell do you see one in pictures 2 and 3 or are those not pronounced enough? Also for caves I have a few areas surrounded by rock and driftwood as well as plants so I would say there are 3 or 4 caves in the tank. Although I am assuming it is a Turgidis so the 15g is too small and a new tank with plent of rocks and driftwood will be forthcoming.

Content2Swell wrote:If there is a red dot, it will be very obvious, and it will not change with color/mood changes.
Here is a pic of the red dot on baby cochinchinensis:

M__Cochinchinensis_baby.jpg

awww..they are so cute. Ill try to take some better pics this evening with my digital camera.

No red dot on him.

Yeah what little red I see isnt enough nor in the right location we each have Turgidis. Now I need a that 20 long or a 30 gal.