The Puffer Forum

So... I think I'll get everyone's vote with this story.

I was giving the tank its way overdue cleaning, scrubbed a little bit of algae off some hard to reach area, dusted off some rocks and ornaments. Hombre the dwarf was fine before he went and hid. So there I go, I start siphoning, and keep siphoning slowly picking up crap off the bottom and around the tank. When I'm done, I top it off, throw in a couple snails and leave. This is in the afternoon. Next day comes around, I turn on the lights, grab breakfast and rush to work, late again. Come home and I check my tanks, I see snail climbing up the glass! So I thought it was pretty weird, but maybe hombre was still a little scared or just hasn't seen it. I start searching casually. Nothing. I get a little worried, search a bit harder, grab a flashlight to look in the caves and cracks. Stand on a chair and lean over the tank to see the backside. Nothing. That was last night. I took a look this morning before work...didn't see him. Came home... didn't see him. I've now taken all the fake plants out, dismantled the caves and still nothing.

I must have siphoned him out. I can't think of any other logical explanation. I must have not looked at my bucket just that once. Stupid me.

So sorry to hear that. Honestly I've done that once with other fish. I felt horrible. Your not a bad puffer owner. Sometimes things just happen. Don't let yourself be down over this. I'm sure it has also happened to someone else before. I also had a fish disappear on me twice, took everything out of the tank only to see that fish days later. He might still show up. If not then you will know to be extremely careful and check the bucket next time. Hope this helps.

I'm pretty sure I syphoned up a mushroom once, lol

I've done this as well, thankfully not with a puffer.

Erm, actually, you might want to go check your siphon tube.. the problem with siphoning up a puffer is they usually panic and puff up and get stuck somewhere in there, which could be why you didn't see him in the bucket?

Keeping my fingers crossed though that he's just hiding somewhere and shows up!

I siphoned up a sick porc puffer with my python and ripped over his face, which end in his demise. I know how you must feel, and it sucks, but mistakes happen. You could also check behind the tank, as it's possible he was spooked and jumped out (check the floor and such, too).

Sorry to hear about this.

Sorry to hear. I hope he was just hiding REALLY well. I've almost siphoned my GSP once too. Honest mistakes happen all the time so don't beat yourself up over it.

check the substrate....that little booger might have dug in for safety....
or at least i really hope so for you....

but don't beat yourself up about things like this....it's not like you just did it on purpose....things happen in fishkeeping all the time....and believe me i have had my share of mistakes in keeping FW fish....but you go on....doesn't make you a bad fishkeeper....but you'll be more cautious next ime....

Aw, I hope he's still ok...
But don't beat yourself up. You were doing a good thing trying to make his home nice and clean for him. We all make mistakes... I'm sure all of us here have made several mistakes that ended in the death or injury of their precious fishes. All that matters is that you try to fix your mistakes, and you give the fish you have love and care.

he might be there i did that with my bgk and he was able to hide from me ( imagine how dumb i felt when i put the tank back together bent down to check the ground encase he jumped and sat up to see my 5 inch knife swimming in my face begging for food.) ive also sucked up minnows and even once had to un stick a lazy cory that didnt move. it happens. lets hope he will come out try feeding the tank.

I've siphoned up a puffer before, back when I was ignorant to the needs of these fish, before I found this place, I had 4 x 3/4" GSPs in a 65L tank and one went up the siphon tube during a water change and puffed up in the serrated part, little bugger was well and truly stuck, felt awful for ages after that and did my water changes with a jug until I upgraded.

I hope you find the little fella

Almost took my Fahaka once but he bit off a corner of the syphon

I hope you find him