Puffer Bites

[newpuffergrl]

Has anyone had a puffer so aggressive that it will bite your hand if it goes into the tank? My guy gets very mean if you try to move (plants, rocks etc.)or when trying to clean his poo off the bottom with a net he goes for my hand. I have started using a skewer stick and put his food on the end. He has actually bit my once so thank goodness he is pretty small...

[LilGreenPuffer]

I think that quite a few people have that problem! Go look up "bit my by stellatus" in the forum and you'll see what I mean.

[newpuffergrl]

Wow, that pic is awful, thank goodness my guy is about 2.5"- 3" right now and his mouth is relatively small. It kinda felt like a quick pinch I guess it was a warning bite, lol... I will leave his plants where they are.

[pufferpuggirl]

I have been bitten about 5 times -- twice by my Congo, twice by my suvattii and once by my Ceylon. The Congo and Ceylon were pretty much curiosity bites, but the suvattii I think was telling me to fork off! (I hope that's not considered inappropriate).

[Malabar Front]

My F8 is still very shy, and generally hides away when I'm near the tank. If I make any sudden movements, he panics and flees, bless him.

So, no, he hasn't bitten me. If I put my hand into the tank, he disappears. I don't suspect he'd grow large enough to do any damage if he did nip me, either.

[side19]

my DPs and never bitten me. my F8 Ra has bitten me a few times but only because he thought my finger was the dropped with food in it. he gets very excited when the dropper goes into the water, and my finger is about the same size, so it was an honest mistake. haha.

[Myaj]

Of course, its part of being a puffer owner. They really like to go after freckles on your arms too, so watch out for that.

[mrgreen]

Mine usually swim away when I put my hands in the tank. The only time they don't is when I'm holding a shrimp.

[qtrhorse89]

The figure 8 that lives at my work bit me the other day. I yelped but only because it surprised me. Hikaru, my fellow at home, has never shown any inclination to bite. Ratchet my fahaka is still young but I imagine he'll get me one of these days. Like Myaj said it comes with the territory.

[Dadof4]

Been bitten by my Brown and my Arrowhead. The arrowhead wasn't too bad because it was during feeding time but the Brown actually charged me and got a chunk of skin right after I got him. Deep enough to bleed. He backed off and puffed at me right after, he was telling me to get out of his tank, only aggression he's ever shown.

[marksrush]

I've been bitten several times by my Ceylon at feeding time: he gets so excited he often misses the food and gets my finger tips instead. It was cute when he was only 1.5" long, but now that he's 5" it hurts too much to be cute. He doesn't bother me when I have my hand in the tank, though, and in fact gets as far away as he can from me.

My modestus nips at my hand very lightly when I put my hand in his tank, but my GSP and my valentini have never tried to bite me.

[newpuffergrl]

Ok, so now I know you get a puffer expect to get bitten, lol... I was just unsure if it was common. He really doesn't like me in his territory I guess. He is kinda odd he will puff up if you get close to the side of the tank but if you look at him from the front he is fine. Thanks for all of the replies
I am waiting for the bf's porcupine puffer to bite him... he just comes up to check things out but has never tried to bite him, yet...

[DCDN]

When I first got my figure 8's one tried to bite me but thats mostly due to curiousity and to see if I was tasty. Haven't had problems since then

[diverchic]

George (Abei) has bitten me twice now... both times during tank redecoration/water changes

[pufferpuggirl]

Sounds like George is getting naughty!