The Puffer Forum

I originally got my fahaka puffer at about 2 inches and after getting used to the tank he was swimming around a lot and used to his environment. He was also hand feeding out of my hand.

Recently at 3" he started staying in a rock cave that he has had the entire time. His color is also less vibrant than before, unless being fed then it stands out a lot. IF i come up to the tank and move my hand while he's out he flips out running into the walls until he gets to the cave. Don't know why this started occuring. It's only been going on for 2 days though. He will still hand feed if he is hungry enough. But today i put a crab in for him and he followed it across the tank but when it got to hiding, it seemed like the puffer didn't like being out in the open and went back to his cave.

Only thing i can think of that could be the problem is that i have daylight aquarium lights and they are too bright for him. Though i've had them the whole time.

Other thing could be something else scared him.

Also he hangs out by the heater in his cave at times too. Could be a sign of sickness but i dont want to treat w/ anything until i know for sure.



Finally the water parameters are good. I do weekly 50% water changes and just had it checked yesterday.

Thanks for the info

How big is the tank?

What is the temperature?

Perhaps a heater has failed and it's a little chilly. The only time I've seen this sort of behaviour was when I forgot to plug the heater back in after a water change. The temp dropped a few degrees before I noticed. He hid in his cave and only came out when I had food for him, but would quickly head back to the cave.

tank is a 75 gallon temp is about 80-81

Is he in a high traffic room/area?

Are there any larger tank mates that could have been terrorizing him?

Is he more relaxed when the lights are out?

Has anyone else interacted with him recently that may have freaked him out?

One time a friend of mine came over and as soon as they saw the tank they rushed up to it and started tapping on it and making sudden fast movements at the puffer. It freaked the little guy out for a couple days afterwards.

It is in my room which can be high traffic at times.

And yes he is better at night.

I am also thinking one of my roomates buddies must have scared him while i was out. He'll probably come around in the next few days.

Whats his tank mates?

(Personally I think its from being in high traffic)

All he has are 2 small tiger barbs. Yeah it may be traffic but he should get used to it after a while and i think he'll get less scared when he gets bigger.

Any dogs or cats that could harass the tank when your not looking?

Puffer is now doing well much more active. He actually puffed up this morning. I know this can be due to stress but it just seemed like he was testing it out.

If i were you, I'd set up some sort of video camera to try and catch it on tape. It's always fun to see puffers doing their thing. I think it's halarious that they practice. :p as if they might forget what to do in an emergency.

Ha right now i can barely afford a disposable camera let alone a video camera.