The Puffer Forum

I need help,
I have a 100 gallon tank. In the tank I have a small angel (had for 3 years) a maroon clown fish (had for 8 years) and a box puffer fish (had for 5 years). I recently removed another fish who seemed to be bullying the tank. After pulling that fish out my maroon clown fish started really fighting my other 2 fish. The angel is fine, but the puffer fish got a decent size bite mark and was being bullied for a couple days. Since then my tank guy who I trust and have had for 7 years came over and we rearranged the rocks. Put melafix into the tank to help puffer heal and now I have a piece of plastic with small holes for air flow dividing the maroon clown from other 2. My issue is the puffer won't eat! I've tried brine and mysis shrimp which usually he will consume 2-3 cubes, and I've tried a piece of zucchini which he usually eats very quick. He just looks sad, beat up and I'm afraid if he won't eat soon he will die. Any tips??? Please help!

I don't blame him, I wouldn't eat if I was bullied or didn't feel well. I am surprised your boxfish didn't wipe out the entire system, releasing his toxins under stress. You're VERY lucky! Obviously, you removed the top fish & now the maroon has taken his place. Maroon clowns are the most aggressive clowns on the list! With a puffer/boxfish, they must always be the top fish in the tank, with the others, being much less aggressive. I'm not sure the boxfish will be oK, until that clown is gone. Maybe put it with the bully?

Is your's doing any better now? My GSP is going through a similar issue right now except he gets "sad" when I separate the bullies. I am re-homing them tomorrow and hoping that helps. Has he eaten anything? I'm hoping that your situation is improving and can give me some optimisim. Have you tried small snails? Mine usually devours them. Best of luck to you!