The Puffer Forum

Chomper has been bullying Little One around a lot lately. I am afraid he is going to kill him!!! When I feed them chomper has been biting little ones belly and leaving round bit marks, and his skin will peel and he will get a black bruise. This has never happened before and they have been together for a year. This has happened twice now in the last week, and i sort of caught it on camera. my plans is to get rid of Little One but it's hard to find someone to trust with him.

Help ?

Oh... I'm in London Ontario if anyone wants him.

Here's that video....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8xECIGeWIo
you can hear a big 'snap' when he bites, and now little one has skin hanging off his belly again

What if you kept both but just got a divider so he cant pick on him. Is it only during feeding time or is it all the time hes getting attacked?
Because if its at feeding time you could use a divider to feed them both without confrontation then remove it and let them go back to whatever they were doing.

Aw, poor guy Mine get pretty aggressive around feeding time but are great friends all other times.

awww... poor Little One!!

I hope everything works out for you guys!!

If it's just at feeding time try feeding them on seperate sides of the tank.

Like neurotic said, put a divider (egg create) in the middle of the tank. I have 2 F8s and hope they don't fight in the future... Once I noticed one bitting another during the feeding time, that shocked me!
Your puffers look very agressive and very healthy! I think you have to keep both under your care, it seems you know how to treat them right!

Hold two piece of shrimp and feed them separately. It just normal animals behavior, they will fight for food, what you see is survival of the fittest. Just make sure feeding time don't let the big one feel like little one going to steal his meal.

Take both fishes out of the tank for 5-6 hours.
"Store" them separately.
Redecorate the tank.

Introduce the "weak" specimen first.
Let it get familiar with the new surroundings (an hour or two).
Then introduce the dominant specimen.
Chances are this will change the relationship.
Puffers are smart, but not that smart...

Btw; you might wanna extend the periods of time Ive been recommending.
Storing them for 24 hours, then add specimen 1, wait 24 hours, then specimen 2.
Good luck!