The Puffer Forum

Hi Everyone,

I received my shipment of 6 SAPs this week and they went into their tank on Tuesday. I had to ship them in as unfortunately. I couldn't source any SAPs locally despite trying for weeks.

Luckily, however, all 6 of my puffers are fine specimens with nice, rounded bellies. They were understandably stressed from their journey when I received them (all were pacing up and down the glass initially) but they are now all settling into their new home (ie exploring the tank) except one. He (or indeed she) was visibly the most stressed upon arrival and since Tuesday morning he/she has constantly been pacing up and down the glass until this morning when he/she starting lying down on the substrate in the same spot for what has been literally hours now!

I'm not sure whether this is a good sign or not and I was just wondering whether any other SAP keepers have experienced similar behaviour? I suspect he/she may just be exhausted from all the pacing up and down but it just seems odd behaviour for a SAP (being 'busy' fish)! The fish doesn't seem distressed at all and is breathing at a normal regular rate. Also, it has eaten along with all the others for the past 2 days. I've constantly been checking my water parameters and theres no problem there.

I've had marine puffers before but I can't remember one of them lying in the same spot for so long!

Hopefully, this SAP is just having a good rest but I would be really grateful for any advice & comments.

Many thanks.

Rob

My SAPs pace up and down the glass primarily when they need there teeth trimmed. Since the rest of you school has settled in and started exploring I would suggest you check the others teeth.

My Newest SAPs were roughly six months old when they were due for a trim. They were just over 1cm so I let them get a little larger before I trimmed there teeth I think 2cm and up is a good size to be able to do that. When they are that little it would be hard not to get there lips. That my be A reason why he is doin what he is doin; yet he may just need a but more adjusting.

What color are his stripes? Is he keeping a dark stripe or has he "washed out" his coloring? That will give you an idea of the mood he is in as well.

Thanks for your reply Adam.

It has perked up a bit now and and had a wander round the tank but does keep coming back to the same spot. The colouring is a bit washed out compared to the others. I think you may have hit the nail on the head though because it is the largest of the school (approx. 2.5 inch) & I have noticed it's teeth are much longer than the others. Maybe I'll be doing dentistry sooner than I thought!

I'll see how I go with it over the next few days.

Anyway, thanks again fella.

Rob.

Yes they are very active puffer. Actually probably the most active FW puffers. If you have a extremely heavily planted tank they will stop pacing up and down against your tank. Try putting stem plants to block out the sides. Should help a little.

SAPs seem to get bored very easily; my recommendations are:
1. Plenty of open swimming space
2. High current
3. Floating plants (with long stems if possible, e.g. Amazon Frogbit)
4. Move the decor around periodically.

That would do the trick. To answer your initial question: no, I've never seen any of my SAPs lie on the gravel. Even when they're 'sleeping' they tend to bounce around or simply float very close to the bottom; they never rest on it.
I'd be mildly concerned: observe for a couple of days and see if there's any change. If not, you might want to try the dentistry to see if it helps.

I noticed my oldest SAP sitting on the bottom of the tank a couple weeks ago. I naturally freaked out and went in for a closer look. When he saw me he kinda just looked at me for a second and then I waved my hand at him to see if he would move. He did and he has never done it since so I think he was just hangin out for a bit.