The Puffer Forum

Hi it's my first post here. I'm just curious if anyone else's mbu is a lot more active with the tank lights off? He's active most of the time but when there is just natural light he loves it.I know it's not a very interesting question but I'm curious.

I have only kept one T. mbu, and he was more active during the tank's light cycle. That tank room however gets little natural light.

Welcome to the forum. Most are more active in daytime I believe

Can you tell us more about his tank? Maybe post a FTS for us to see how it's decorated.

My money is on the lights being to bright

Or not enough decor to retreat to, making the puffer hide during the day.

He does not hide during the day he's out most of the time just a lot more active when lights are off and just some natural light from the room.there are a couple of caves spears over the tank and a lot of tall plants in one end which is his place he choses to rest when he does.My lights are quite dim as he lives with 4 small frontosas who hate bright light. I'm not worried about him I've just not seen another mbu that is so active when lights are out. My last one only came out when the lights were on and so does my friends. Meh maybe he's just differnt

Puffers vary greatly in personality, it's just because they are so smart. I really wish I could afford to house a mbu, they are fantastic creatures.

How large is the tank? Frontosas can be quite territorial and nasty.

What are the water parameters?

RTR wrote:How large is the tank? Frontosas can be quite territorial and nasty.

What are the water parameters?

RTR, just out of curiosity .. how big was your Mbu and how long did u have it?

The poor beast was a couple of inches over 2 feet T.L., but had a permanent curl to the end of that huge caudal fin from being kept too long in a too-small tank (6x2x2'), so he could only turn counter-clockwise. He jumped out after a bit over 10 years under my (inadequate) care. Never again. He was my favorite (and my wife's favorite) of all the fish I have kept. But never again- I simply could not afford to keep another fish so large and demanding. He had an 8x14 foot tank room to himself, and a small generator just for that room's protection. Partials were ~450 gallons alternated weeks, with partials ~300 gallons in the alternate week (semi-automated). He was a magnificent fish, but IMO unsuitable for anyone without quite significant personal wealth. Unfortunately I am not one of those folks. Never again. Puffers are not eels, they have huge body mass, which translates to quite a bit of upkeep. That is more than even serious hobby-level care.

Rtr tank is 1113 liters frontosas do not go near the puffer they all have their own cave and never fight.the mbu is happy all the time again now and is very active. He had a black spot problem which came into the tank with snails. I seem to have killed them off with salt and all is well again.

Are the lights new? I find there is about a 2-3 week adjustment period with most changes for my MBU.