The Puffer Forum

Hey everyone! This is my first post so please excuse me if I'm not following correct protocol or procedure (although constructive criticism on better posting is welcomed). I recently had my coral beauty die in my tank overnight and with it having been the weekend, I'm assuming it was expired in there a few hours before I found it. It caused a spike in ammonia which my Toby puffer wasn't very comfortable with (as were my chromis and red scooter). I did water changes and luckily I was able to get the ammonia back down to 0, but now my chromis (4 of them) are crowding my Toby and brushing up against him every now and then. I wasn't sure if this was a result of the ammonia problem I had or if it is a sign of aggression from them, or maybe something else. I know ammonia burns can happen but in my old freshwater tank they would brush against the decoration. He is such a docile puffer, I don't want him getting bullied by them. Has anyone else ever had this experience? And if so should I be worried?
Thanks,
Ryan
p.s. For those who might want to lecture me for having the Toby in a 30 gallon, I know it's small, but please understand that it's temporary. He's still young and my roommate and I are about to move off campus where we can have a 90 gallon.

I've never seen this kind of behavior before but damselfish can be very aggressive. As you have already noted, your tank is extremely overstocked. Any way you could take back the damsels & scooter? I'm afraid the scooter is probably starving to death, unless you've got it eating prepared foods. Generally, they eat their weight in live pods/day.

No, trust me, he eats bloodworms like crazy, the scooter is fine. I got him from the fish store where he was not fed pods but frozen food. I've had him for 3 weeks and he's already almost doubled in size. Again, this is only a temporary tank as I have already mentioned, I know it's small, hence why I put up the disclaimer, so that people wouldn't lecture me and would keep on topic.

Animals can behave oddly when under stress, this may just stop when you get them into the 90 gallon tank. I would try and do more then 50% wc's a week since you mentioned that you lost a fish it doesn't sound like there is enough water being changed. Also do you use prime? It will really help you out if you aren't since it can help lock up ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates and up to 5x the normal dosage can be used good luck.