The Puffer Forum

I bought a hairy puffer 6 days ago and he isnt eating and barely swims. He doesn't swim more than about 6 inches every couple of hours. He just seems to want a new place to lounge. I have tried everything i can think of as food and he doesn't seem interested in any of it. I've tried Ghost shrimp, blood worms, earth worms, snails, and crabs... and no luck? Should I be worrying yet or is this a normal part of his getting settled? I tested the water and everything checks out... any ideas?

Hairy puffers lurk most the time, so the swimming (or lack thereof) behavior is normal. It can take up to 2 weeks for a puffer to start accepting foods, so I wouldn't worry just yet if I was you.
What size tank is he in? Also what were your perameters and did you use liquid test kits or strips?

Please answer questions in red. Hairy puffers(and lurker speices)
Dont swim much. Is there gravel? They really love sand. They spend 99.9% of there time under the sand. They only come out for food;)
Welcome to the forum
Any pictures by the way?

Ammonia:0
Nitrates:0
Nitrites:0

Tested using liquid tests

50gallon species only Tank

The tank has been set up for 4-5 months

Sand substrate though he just sits on top of it... no effort to bury himself

Not sure if it's relevant but I had an algae bloom 2 weeks ago and bought a UV sterilizer to get it under control

That's what lurker species do.. they lurk. Some bury themselves, some don't.

It will probably take him a little time to settle in, maybe even a week or two. Then try a nightcrawler and see if he's interested

Moe,
How's the Baileyi doing?