The Puffer Forum

I have 2 F8s that are just amazing. They are the most personal fish I have ever seen. I gotta love them to death; they're my little boys. But sadly, they're the biggest creepers in the world. They sit at the side of their tank and just stare at me. I'm wondering if they're bored or what. They have plenty of stuff in their tank for them to explore and such. I think they might be obsessive with me. But i can't blame them. Do you have any suggestions for these little guys that could help them? It's a 20gal tank. Sand substrate. Ammonia,Nitrate,and Nitrite are all at zero. pH is sitting at a 7.8-7.9. Is there any chance they're still bored or what?? Please any suggestions or tips would be awesome!

My DP does that when I am near the tank.

Don"t worry.. they're just plotting murder / global take over. It won't happen any time soon.

BTW... can you describe the filtration and low set up?

What is the current SG level?

This is a funny post! Their tank may be to small, it's recommended 15 gallons per F8.
However, feeling as though they are creepy and staring at you sounds a bit paranoid.
lol

Lol. I def. agree with the world take over. It's just because I live in a dorm and there's always a lot of activity in my room. I think they just like to watch. They're still babies so i haven't began to add any salt. Within a week or two we'll start raising it very little each week. around a 1.005 for them right? As far as tank set up they have a giant coliseum to swim in. 3 plants. 2 rocks and a little sea cave. I promise i'm not paranoid

at 20 gal the tank size is a tad small, and once you add the salt you'll see increased activity.

If possible try to get them in a 45 or dual 20's

Once you get the salt to 1.005 (or there about) keep an eye on the water level. As the water level drops due to evap the SG will rise. I add distilled water for top off, but RO/DI is best. Knowing that you are in a dorm helps. Bottled distilled isn't that expensive to obtain.

Yep 1.003 - 1.005 SG

My F8 is a major creep too. I have one in a 20 gal, and if I am not near the tank (ie, across the room) I can see her playing and exploring. But my tank is right next to my desk, and if i am sitting there she will stop whatever it was that she was doing and just stare at me. All day. All night. Staaaring.

And as mentioned earlier, plotting world domination.

they're very personable.

My fish provider (RMS Aquaculture in Cleveland, OH) said the same thing most of you are saying. Once we get the SG up more increased activity and such. But he said since they're the only things in the tank, they should be ok in a 20gallon. These guys only get to about 3 inches each. And they've been together since birth. Also another question for them. With their beaks. Best snail suggestion/hard food?

The tank is too small. I would get a larger tank then raise the sg

Id have to agree with everything said so far.

They do need a bigger tank, its not so much the length of the puffer but how messy puffers are.

Rsebille1203, I have two F8s in a 29 gallon and am starting to think they're going to be too crowded when they grow a bit more -- two in a 20 gallon is definitely too much.

Mine stare at me when I'm in the room, too, but if I peek at them when they can't see me, they're motoring all over the place.

Huey is like that also, every morning I get up and he is watching me in bed

haha they definitely are just waiting for food. i sit and play my playstation well, pretty much all day, and whenever i turn my head and look at my GSP's they race each other to the top of the tank. i just have to look in their direction. than i look away and a few minutes later look back and they are at the bottom and the race to the top again! they dont want to miss if im going to feed them, and definitely dont want the other puffer to get the food.

(i have a 40gal hex so its a pretty good swim from bottom to top)

So how often should i feed them? I promise I'm not an idiot. :p I feed them frozen cubes of bloodworms. Once in the morning and that's it. Should I be feeding them two a day?

check out the library it will have all the info you need!