The Puffer Forum

So many times I've wondered what's going on in a puffer's mind. And so I did yesterday too. When I feed my suvattii or palembang, I have to make sure they see me before I drop the food into their tanks, or they won't touch it. With my palembang it's worst, as the tank is on the top of a high rack, and I need to stand on something to look into it. I often wave my hand outside the tank, to catch her attention. If she doesn't come out, I need to climb up on a small ladder, to make her see me. Yesterday, when I wanted to feed her, she obviously was upset with me for something (I don't know why). I tried to wave my hand outside the tank, but she didn't come out. I climbed up on the ladder and waved the food outside her tank. After a while she came out very slowly - but with her tail first! She moved very slowly against me, moving backwards! All the time she only gave me her tail. I tried to show her the food over and over again, but no; only her tail. It looked so strange: a puffer moving against me because of the tempting food, but with the tail first all the time. I had to laugh at her. When I thought she had seen me, I dropped the food, and went out of the room. A few minutes later both the puffer and the food was gone.

I know what you mean about waving food about, as I have to do that for my suvattii. I have to make sure my guy sees the food, or like you said, it won't get eaten. But he generally is pretty good about eating if he sees it. My Baileyi on the other hand reminds me of what you are saying about giving you the "tail". She's got a terracotta pot she hangs out in and most of the time it's her tail that you see. And when she doesn't want to know me, that's where she goes and all I can see is that tail.

Yep, Bubba (turgidus) can be cranky. If he's hungry, he charges the glass. If he's content but happy, he waves his fins in greeting, but doesn't come forward. If he's angry, he whips around and presents his tail.

If he's sleeping, he just sits there eyes open and not moving and his mouth open, no matter how much I wave and call to him.. if he wasn't underwater I'm sure there'd be a string of drool...