The Puffer Forum

Hi, this is my first post. I have 5 red eye brown puffers (Tetradon Turgidus). I've had them for about a couple of months. One of them has been very clumsy for the past few weeks or so. Even though he stays on the bottom of the tank, he sometimes rests upside down, and this makes it difficult to feed him sometimes. I've noticed that these puffers aren't very active during the day and rest on the bottom throughout. Also the only time they swim is when they are doing it up and down the glass. They seem to have good and bad days too. Sometimes they don't move all day, other times they swim all the time. A very unique puffer.

Hi and welcome to the forum.
What size tank do you keep them in? How is it filtered? Have you tested the water for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

In general these puffers tend to be fairly inactive. But I would be very concerned about your 'clumsy' puffer; that may be an indication something is wrong with the water.

Agreed. Since these puffers grow to 6", a very large tank for 5 of them is necessary to keep the waste materials diluted. Large weekly water changes are also necessary. I do 80%, since my 4"er is in a 20g L tank.

Wow, please post pics! Sounds like your setup is pretty good to house 5 t.turgidus without agression issues!

If you could give us the specs (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph etc readings that will help us out with a possible diagnosis.)

yes answer those questions and you will be given a smattering of info that may blow your very mind ROFL

Sooo true.