The Puffer Forum

Hi all. Been lurking for a bit trying to learn all I can about Pufferfish before pulling the trigger. Finally bought a Toby that seemed completely healthy and eating in the store (if a bit skittish), but now that it's in the quarantine tank seems to be hanging out at the top of the tank at a slight angle with it's head at the surface. It will swim around a bit mid-column. It will eat a bit but not aggressively. Is this normal for a fish that has been in quarantine for two days? Not seeing any obvious problem (no white patches, cloudy eyes, red marks), but I haven't seen it poop. I was thinking of adding some amphipod filled chaeto when I get home. Any suggestions, treatments needed? I have Paraguard, Melafix and Fenbendazole on hand.

Requested details:
1) PH 7.8-ish, Ammonia - undetectable, Nitrite - undetectable, Nitrate - 15-ish, salinity 1.26, KH - 8.7, 78F
2) 10 gallon quarantine, no medication, been running for 2+ months.
3) Tried LRS Chunky, brine, and mysis. Seems to eat a little of all.
4) New fish. Moved from LFS to quarantine with 30 minutes travel. Floated for 20 minutes, then added a cup of aquarium water ever 5 minutes for 30 minutes. Caught in cup and transferred
5) 2+month tank. Should be cycled. Used filter pad from main tank, water changes with main tank water for first month.

Was he caught by a net or scooped up in a container? Can he swim normally?

I didn’t see them take it out of the tank. I was very careful to keep it underwater taking it out of the bag. It’s “sleeping” on the bottom now, and was swimming around a bit when I got home, though it mostly hung out at the top of the tank, just at the waters surface. Breathing seems normal, but this is my first saltwater puffer so I admittedly don’t know what normal is.

Are you continuing to test the water?