The Puffer Forum

Hello!

I have a GSP that is just over 1" long. He is very brightly colored, and seems very healthy. However, he also seems to get bored a lot. He lives in a 10 gallon brackish tank with 5 plants and 4 large rocks that have been built to make holes for him to swim through. I just bought more rocks that I plan to build with in the tank soon. However, I am worried that he will still be bored. Are there any other ways to keep puffers amused?

I also feed him live snails often and ghost shrimp occasionally, so I don't think he needs more hunting.

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum!

There are a few things you can do to help bored puffers. You can add alot of decor and plants, add "toys" to the tank for him to play with, and spend alot of time with them. Some puffs take a while to get used to their tank. How long have you had him? Please be aware that you will need a tank upgrade soon, you will need at least a 30 gallon tank for the GSP alone. How did you cycle the tank and what SG is he at?

A big welcome to the world of puffers, and to the forum!

Thinking about the size of your tank, and you saying that you've got large rocks in the tank and are thinking about putting in more, I would guess there's not alot of space for the puffer. So I would say you need an upgrade like ... now. Get him into a 20-gallon tank at least (but you may as well go for the 30-gallon because that's what he's going to need eventually anyway). If you don't already have a background on your aquarium, then I'd get one, as it tends to make them feel more secure. And as Busybones said, plants can make a big difference too, and she's also correct in stating that sometimes puffers can take a while to "settle", especially when you consider that many of them are wild caught. I mean, how would you feel if you were in your wide big neighbourhood and then someone catches you and next thing, you're stuck in some tiny little tank? So it's no wonder that they pace. I think that pacing isn't always from boredom either, I think that it indicates nervousness as well.
My suggestion would be to upgrade your tank .... try to make it as complex as possible and then see what happens. If you've not had your puffer very long, then give him time to settle.

Pacing the first week or so is natural. My puffers did that at the beginning now they don't. I find the best way to entertain a puffer is just you being there. It appeals to them just as it is to you. I like to make stupid face in front of them. Open my mouth (outside the glass duh) and have them nearly try to swim in. I'm still trying to invent a little brain stimulation toy though

Thanks for the thoughts!

I've had him for about a month and a half, so I'm not sure if settling is the issue. I know he'll need a 30 gallon eventually, but until May, I can't upgrade above a 10 gallon tank because of where I live. I'm moving to a new place then and I'll be able to upgrade his tank. The rocks in his tank aren't too big I don't think because he has plenty of open sand space, and the plants are in the four corners with one in the middle (which he plays in a lot). The new rocks I got are pretty small, just for adding a little more exploration for him by building the rocks I have up against the walls. I don't have a background, I guess I'll have to look into that. I cycled the tank using sponges and gravel from my ex-boyfriend's brackish tank. And the hydrometer is at his house, but last time I checked it was at around 1.014.

What do you mean by "toys"?

Thanks!

Here is a little toy i picked up for one of my GSPs...you can buy them on Ebay..You can also use a small plastic ball that floats...Your GSP should be fine in the tank until you move..Just make sure you do your weekly water changes to keep the nitrites down so he will stay healthy...

Great I thought of getting him a little red ball but I wasn't sure if that'd be safe, but I guess it is. I also like the idea of those floating things, I had one for my goldfish when I was young so I'm surprised I didn't think of that.

Thank you!

When I mean toy, I mean some sort of puzzleish thing? You know how at the zoos they have a puzzle with food inside. So the animal would have to work for the food.
But in the mean time these are my puffer "toys"

I have 2 of these that I bought when I was in Taiwan..Its a puffer fish


This for outside of the glass


PS. I named my puffer Sputnik too! Such a cute name

For those of you in BC in the lower mainland, a pet store named King Ed's sells those toys at the counter


Sputnik is an wwesome name too OCgatergirl!

Glad i read this, my GSP has been swimming up n down the tank all evening and i was worried but i've only had him 4 days, the tank is big enough and there's plenty of decor so i was at a loss.

The up and down swimming can also be simple exercise. If the tank does not have much current, you might try increasing the current along the front glass and see if it helps. On a new puffer, it can just be a passing thing, as has already been said..