The Puffer Forum

Hello, I am new to this forum stuff, so please be patient. I have recently brought a Mbu Puffer and he is around 5-6". He is very active and his colouring is white underneath with bright markings on top. However as soon as I put on the tank lights he seems to sink and shy away, nor will he swim around. If I turn out the tank lights he will slowly start to come out of his mood and start to swim again. Could anyone please recommend as to why he or she may behave like this and suggest anything which might help the Mbu. Thanx

Maybe your lights are too bright?

my bubba limp was like that seems to be just shy. Most of the time mbus are active in light and settle down when its dark.

if he / she is just been moved etc may be settleing in. i would heavilly plant one half of the tank give him room to hide. cover the back + sides. and possible invest in blue LED night lights.

he should come out of his shell but will take time. bubba is shy around new people whereas my little one swims up to the glass as soon as anyone approaches because shes a pig!

There are also really tall fake plants you can buy that will hang over the top of the tank, making him feel safer to come out.

Pufferpunk wrote:There are also really tall fake plants you can buy that will hang over the top of the tank, making him feel safer to come out.

thats what i use with my big boy usually there labeled as vivarium reptile plants... as the silk ones for aquariums are usually too small and overpriced.

Yeah, got those on my fahaka tank. I like how they bend over the top. Looks very natural.

and the cant destroy them easilly! bubba has a tendancy of accedently uprooting plants because he still thinks hes tiny and can squeeze through little gaps! mine are bent over the back and the pine lid which weights about 80lbs is ontop of the hooks so they dont go anywhere......

Thanks Guys all your suggestions, they were brilliant and carried out and he came out of his shyness with plenty of cover, but now I have a new dillema
Please, please, please can anyone help me ????????????????????



My Mbu puffer 14 - 15 inches long. He was happy and healthy until about 6 days ago. I do not know what has happened, but he has stopped eating he looks fine and still swimming around his tank but he just wont eat anything. I have tried to temp him with his favourite cockles and mussels and also on prawns but nothing is tempting him in any way. I have read somewhere that he may be constipated. But when I was looking at him today I have noticed that his mouth is different on one side, and that it is slightly red, could he have some shell stuck? if so how can I help him. I love my fish dearly and I am desparate to do anything to get him back to his normal self. I am so worried.
My tank has been setup for 4 years and the results of my last water test were ph 7.0, ammonia 0ppm, nitrite 0ppm.

Please help me

I moved your same Q on this in the Hospital Forum, so let's keep the answers there so as to not confuse folks responding.

my puffer cutie pie had a trap door of a snail trapped in her throat once if thats the case i think you could / should be able to see clearly. if you really think it is that what i did was get her in a bucket holding them firmly face up but still in the water and gently prize appart mouth with tweezers / reove any trapped shell.

to be honest most puffers at soem point go some time without eating for some reason or another both bubba nad cutiepie went w/out food for 2-3 weeks then started back again w no issues. my suvatti bam bam did a 6 week hunger strike once also. I think keep on top of the basics with regard to water etc which seem superb maybe add a little tonic salts and just keep trying