The Puffer Forum

Hey all, new to this forum. I recently purchased a great little porcupine, Elliot (lets be real, he looks like ET), can't be more than 3" in length currently. He's been in the tank for about 2 weeks now, and is still a little shy, but most concerning is that a lot of the time I go to look for him and he's hiding in his favorite little spot on top of the crushed coral substrate between the glass and the edge of a fake brain coral. Attached is a picture of him in his spot (the green coral), and just a cool one of Elliot actually swimming.

I read this is normal, but just want to be as sure as possible.

Also, for feeding, I keep trying to give him shell-on shrimp (frozen then thawed), but he never goes for it. He will eat the little mysis shrimp (frozen cube then also thawed). Definitely doesn't like the marine flakes like the rest of the fish.

Appreciate the help.
Tank info:
75G hexagon
Sump + UV Sterilizer + protein skimmer
2 clownfish
1 baby picasso trigger (maybe 2" now)
1 tomini tang
1 starry blenny
......so far

Welcome!
Hex tanks aren't the best for this species & eventually you will want a tank 2x this size for the tans & puffer. Puffers are shy & not very competitive for food. Your trigger is aggressive towards other fish & bullies others for food. Not a great combo, IMO.

Crushed coral isn't recommended, as they are huge detritus collectors. For a proper marine tank, you need a protein skimmer, live sand at 1-2" deep & live rock at 1 1/2-2" per gallon.

library/feeding/feeding-your-puffers/

library/puffers-in-focus/big-marine-pufferfish-care/

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=28836

Damn, really wish I knew all of that! The puffer and trigger were actually in the same tank at the LFS, and the trigger is actually smaller than Elliot, so less worried there. None of the tankmates are really fighting over food, Elliot is just not going for the non-mysis shrimp as of yet.

Is the lying on the ground normal?

I don't think so, these are very interactive fish. Fish kept together at a store is only temporary housing.