The Puffer Forum

A couple of days ago I mentioned seeing a dark band appear down the length of Diddy's body. Next day it had faded. Anyway, I'm now wondering if it's a sort of camouflaging technique. The tank is pretty light: light substrate, light plants, light....light. But a dark fake root system. I've just watched him come out of the root system, dark band there again, but after a few seconds of swimming around the plants and substrate the band faded

Many puffers change colours according to mood, excitement, and camoflouge..neat animals!

What kind of puffer is Diddy?

RTR, Diddy's a 2" GSP. He's active, feeding, and looks perfectly healthy, and this band appears only after he's been playing in the root system - it actually fades to nothing while you're watching!

Lisa, it's good to know it's probably camouflage - I had no idea they could do this.

GSPs are particularly good at color changes with mood, illness, water problems, tank upkeep, or just for no valid reason the keeper can see. If it is associated with a particular activity, the fish must "see" some value in it (protective coloration?). So long as it does not persist (where it is more likely to be associated with illness and/or water quality), I'd mark it up to mood/activity.

Several of us have had GSPs which darkened at meals - which made me very nervous until I decided that the fish was fine and healthy, so it was "personality".

I have one GSP that darkens on and off (usually b4 eating or getting his/her but chased by the other GSP, lol. (S)he always chases the other back when she gets fed up)

My GSP's get very bright green foreheads when they feed..it's very cute.