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Help! New to the puffer aquarium

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 9:30 pm
by Bronsonev
I have recently bought a porcupine puffer and he comes out at night when all the lights are off but during the day he just lays on the bottom behind my live rock. Is this normal for a new puffer.
55 gallon tank, he is little right now, as he grows we will move him to a bigger tank. My ammonia and nitrite are both zero and PH is 8.0. My nitrate sky rocketed to around 20 ppm so I have been doing water changes almost daily but they aren't falling, I think it might be due to something with my apt water. We have a canister filter, brand new with floss, ceramic stones, carbon, and a polishing sponge that I only plan to run for the next couple weeks to hopefully help clear any extra tank junk that is causing the nitrates. Protein skimmer and circulation fans keep the tank well aerated. I have been putting frozen marine food with krill, blood worms, clams, etc in small doses into the tank in hopes he will come and eat but he just scavenges when the lights go out. I have a maroon clown and a couple fire tails that normally eat all the food before it hits the ground. Thoughts??

Re: Help! New to the puffer aquarium

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 10:20 pm
by bertie 83
It is very common for new puffers to go on a hunger strike. Welcome to the forum

Re: Help! New to the puffer aquarium

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 1:36 am
by Pufferpunk
Get rid of that canister, it's a nitrate factory. Save you a ton on $alt! Get a good HOB protein skimmer. How much live rock is in there. You running powerheads?

I always found it mind-boggling that a fish with so much protection : mottled colors to match it's surroundings, spines & heavy-duty toxins, would be so shy... When I go diving, I rarely ever saw them out during the day. They were considered a nighttime creature.