The Puffer Forum

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*I've placed it below* ~PP

I would guess he's suffering from problems due to malnutrition/stunting. Krill is a problem food for porcupine puffers, as a primary diet, it often causes lockjaw, and may lead to other vitamin deficiency problems. How big was he when you got him, and how big is he now? A 40 gallon is probably only big enough for a porcupine puffer until he's 7 inches or so long, so it's likely the tank and his primary diet together. A 55 isn't much of a solution, either - consider moving him to a 120 gallon instead.

I agree, the hunchback is a sign of stunting. Read this about krill & lockjaw: http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic72164-10-1.aspx

Then read our articles about feeding your puffer in our Library & the profile on your puffer in our Pufferpedia. It would help to know your water parameters too.

Two threads?

I deleted the double thread. He hasn't responded to our Qs in either one.

Please read this about feeding a diet of krill:
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic72164-10-1.aspx

I have a Porky pine puffer his name is Spike we have had him for a year, and he is depressed. We noticed about a month or so ago that he started to get this lump on his back, it. looks like a hump back He has been depressed will barly eat, and is staying at the bottom of the tank.. Lately he has been at the top We have him in a 55 gallon tank.. Why do you think he has this bump on his back?? There are 2 other fish a Nemo,(clown fish) and a damzil in there too, but they are both fine.. Spike used to have suh personality he would follow my husband bck and forth inside the tank when he would come into the room, he would get excited and he even let my husband pet him, and he spit water at my husband all the time.. We are just bummedout at his drastic change, and we dont know what is wrong? he seems afraid of uss all of a sudden and his personality has compleatly changed... We usually feed him Crill and he loved it, but he hasnot been eating at all! ever since this bump showed up... Please help us figue out what is wrong? we have called the fish stores and they think it could be the tank size we have had him in? but I want other opinions....

I have checked all of the levels for the water, they are fine
THanks all you Puffer Lovers, we miss our spike and his loveable personality. We want him back to normal..... Jeniffer from California

Posting "fine" isn't good enough. We need ammonia, nitrite, nirate, pH & SG. I also agree with your fish store & 55g isn't enough of an upgrade.

I had the same problem with my porc for a time. Make sure your damzil isnt picking on your porc. Do a water change 20 per. and stop feeding him krill. Their diet in the wild is shrimp and small fish and hard shell foods. you can get shrimp at your local store uncooked of course and silversides at lfs. be sure to cut the shrimp into small peices. It didnt take long for my porc to become his self. also try adding a bulbler to the tank. for some reason they like the bubbles. I hope this helps the little guy out. Also start looking for a larger tank he will thank you for it.

You've posted this 3x now, without answering any of my questions.

You should get him into a bigger tank ASAP. I hope he makes it.

Hows the little guy doing. hopefully still hanging in there. did you get the parameters of the water, it will help in getting him back to normal.

Just curious, if a puffer has started showing signs of stunting, will a larger tank bring it back to normal, or will it always show signs of stunting?

Its possible to have the fish grow to its full size if it hasnt been in a small tank for a long period of time. as long as the internal organs havent stunted as well. The sooner it can be placed into a larger tank the better off. the best way to avoid stunting is know about the fish you have and have a tank according to their size.