The Puffer Forum

Is it normal for a puffer fish to puff up occasionally. i caught my porcupine puffer on camera puffed up for no viewable reason. iv had him for 4 months and it seems like he has puffs up once a month. I test my water every other day and he has no issues with aggression from other fish. He only has a 1 inch damsel for a tank mate who pretty much keeps his distance. He eats well and is active. I read puffing can be harmful to them. And i also read that they sometimes just do it because they can. Anyone have any exsperience with this behavior?

Puffers will often practice puff, they just rarely do it in front of us. It is not harmful if the fish is doing it by himself without being provoked. Provoked puffing is potentially life threatening

I agree with bertie..some of mine puff up if I go past their tanks at an unexpected time of day..

I have had to stop people trying to provoke my puffers to expand for their amusemant..

If it's a problem and they float to the surface..just gently hold them down with a fish net until they un-puff..

So where's the pic???

The picture is in my album, but i will try to attach it to this. Thats good to know. He doesnt puff when i walk by and iv never had problems startling him, hes very social. Always comes right up to glass and begs. But the most common thing people ask is can you make him puff up. No one is left alone with him. I got really lucky with the picture tho. i was sittin around and i looked over n there he was. It was a quick shot, his puff only lasted seconds. He is 4 inches now but he musta been the size of a softall when i saw him. Pretty cool as long as its not harmfull to him.

I've tried to reply with a picture and for some reason it's never posted. I don't kno if it isn't approved or what keeps happening

It doesn't happen very often, but when it does it is really cool to see.

I missed the approval of your pic. It's there now.

Oh awesome! Thank you. It is a pretty amazing thing to see. Especially in person and when it's your own fish.

First time I saw my fahaka puff it was a total shock, great pic

yeah definately shock. My first thought was concern. I jumped outa my chair n said "oh no Juke whats wrong?". Then "wheres my phone?". I snapped as many pics as i could hoping to get a good one

Master of Puffers wrote:I agree with bertie..some of mine puff up if I go past their tanks at an unexpected time of day..

I have had to stop people trying to provoke my puffers to expand for their amusemant..

If it's a problem and they float to the surface..just gently hold them down with a fish net until they un-puff..

This is why I don't keep humans

Mine has been puffing unprovoked every 2 or 3 weeks. I kept trying to get it on camera, but he always deflated too quickly. Not tonight! I got him on VIDEO! Woohoo. It's the most amazing thing to watch. Put it on YouTube. Here's the link: https://youtu.be/qG1TXoDX7xg

LOL, silly puffer, show-off!

Awesome. And welcome to the forum LR.