Stressed/Inappetent young Avocado Puffer.
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2025 6:17 pm
Water:
Ammonia- 0ppm
Nitrite- 0ppm
Nitrate- 5-10ppm.
pH- 7.8
kH- 6dH
gH- 9dH
Tank size- 100L.
Equipment- Eheim 160 filter/Hagen heater- controlled with Inkbird set to 78F. Air stone and Venturi.
Inhabitants - One juvenile Auriglobus modestus, Avocado Puffer. About 1.5inches long. Nothing else.
Additives- API Aqua Essentials (dechlorinator) Microbe Nite-out II (nitrifying bacteria) was added when the tank was first cycled.
Water Changes- 25% per week.
Tank Set-up- Approx 2 months. Tank was cycled without fish with liquid ammonia, to process 1ppm of ammonia in 24 hours. This fish has never been exposed to any ammonia or nitrite since it has been in my care. There are areas of high flow good surface agitation/peaceful areas, lots of hiding spots, good cover with live plants, fake plants and an ornamental cave area as well as open water. No decor influences pH of the tank.
Tank is situated in a corner spot in a quiet room, no direct sun and no noise or people disturbing him. Natural day and night light cycle.
No changes have been made from the start and all parameters are, and have been, stable.
Treatments- Fish has had a treatment of levamisole (esha ndx).
The problem:
I have only owned this little guy for three weeks and the first week all was well- but his appetite has slowed to a stop. The second week it was patchy and the third completely absent- he won't eat at all. Initially he took lots of bloodworms and loved Vibra Bites. I have offered him chopped tilapia fillet, krill, white shrimp, along with the foods he did enjoy and there is zero interest. I'm not harassing him with food, offering once a day. Physically he looks pretty good- good colour, teeth are not at all overgrown, his finnage has regrown (it was nipped when I first bought him). Not lethargic at all, no bottom sitting, no heavy breathing, no redness but he is understandably looking thin now.
Behaviour wise- he is skittish and all he does is manic glass surf. When he isn't sleeping, he's surfing. All day long. It's a bit distressing to watch- like a polar bear pacing in a zoo. A juicy bloodworm could be right in his face and he won't even try it.
He seems stressed. Obviously he is still quite new but the fact he seemed a lot happier in that first week concerns me that there's something else amiss here.
Any thoughts/suggestions?
Ammonia- 0ppm
Nitrite- 0ppm
Nitrate- 5-10ppm.
pH- 7.8
kH- 6dH
gH- 9dH
Tank size- 100L.
Equipment- Eheim 160 filter/Hagen heater- controlled with Inkbird set to 78F. Air stone and Venturi.
Inhabitants - One juvenile Auriglobus modestus, Avocado Puffer. About 1.5inches long. Nothing else.
Additives- API Aqua Essentials (dechlorinator) Microbe Nite-out II (nitrifying bacteria) was added when the tank was first cycled.
Water Changes- 25% per week.
Tank Set-up- Approx 2 months. Tank was cycled without fish with liquid ammonia, to process 1ppm of ammonia in 24 hours. This fish has never been exposed to any ammonia or nitrite since it has been in my care. There are areas of high flow good surface agitation/peaceful areas, lots of hiding spots, good cover with live plants, fake plants and an ornamental cave area as well as open water. No decor influences pH of the tank.
Tank is situated in a corner spot in a quiet room, no direct sun and no noise or people disturbing him. Natural day and night light cycle.
No changes have been made from the start and all parameters are, and have been, stable.
Treatments- Fish has had a treatment of levamisole (esha ndx).
The problem:
I have only owned this little guy for three weeks and the first week all was well- but his appetite has slowed to a stop. The second week it was patchy and the third completely absent- he won't eat at all. Initially he took lots of bloodworms and loved Vibra Bites. I have offered him chopped tilapia fillet, krill, white shrimp, along with the foods he did enjoy and there is zero interest. I'm not harassing him with food, offering once a day. Physically he looks pretty good- good colour, teeth are not at all overgrown, his finnage has regrown (it was nipped when I first bought him). Not lethargic at all, no bottom sitting, no heavy breathing, no redness but he is understandably looking thin now.
Behaviour wise- he is skittish and all he does is manic glass surf. When he isn't sleeping, he's surfing. All day long. It's a bit distressing to watch- like a polar bear pacing in a zoo. A juicy bloodworm could be right in his face and he won't even try it.
He seems stressed. Obviously he is still quite new but the fact he seemed a lot happier in that first week concerns me that there's something else amiss here.
Any thoughts/suggestions?