The Puffer Forum

Well, I have been looking after an Ocellated saddle back puffer for over a year now and all I've been reading about is how they only make it a few months and then take a turn for the worst. He's been in freshwater this whole time and there haven't been any problems til now. Me and some friends were hanging out and I just saw 'Charlie' run full speed in the side of the tank when someone walked by. ever since then, it's like his equilibrium is gone and he can't seem to right himself. I've been helping him swim and holding him for about an hour and things aren't looking like they are going to get any better. I would ask for suggestions but it seems as though, at this point, it would be futile. I just fell like crap and angry as hell because I don't know exactly what is wrong.

Just so we can try and figure out what type of puff you're referring to, can you look into the puffer encyclopedia to try to ID for us? My hunch is a Takifugu ocellatus.

I have read about SAPs exibiting the same behavior and unfortunately those that did, died soon after ... Keep us posted...

Its a Takifugu ocellatus, I saw pics on another forum. Pretty.

Oh thanks Tina.

I wonder why some puffs behave this way? I mean in the Fugu's case it may be a reaction to improper water conditions considering we know next to nothing about these guys... Its so sad.

yeah, it's an especially a hard pill to swallow because out of everything that I was on the look out for as far as things people were saying, (i.e. short lifespan, water parameters, and so forth) this was not one of them. This could have happened to any fish. He was just not like any other fish I have owned. He definitely fit into the "more like a dog" category. Not many other fish exhibit such amicable personalities. some fish are friendly, but that typically because they want you to feed them. Charlie could be full with other feeders and food around him and he would still follow me around the tank.

I appreciate the response.

I see you're now speaking in the past tense, did he pass?

It's really hard to lose a fish as friendly as our puffs can be; it's not like losing a molly or a goldfish. I hope you keep your spirits up and try another puff out; what hapened to Charlie was a freak accident so don't let it discourage you!

Well, I thought I was gonna has to put him to sleep, but I decided to wait and just put him in a breeding separator and submerge it so that he could not take in anymore air. I had spent hours trying to get him to release the air in his belly but to no avail. So I tried this and he seemed ok when I woke up this morning. Next hurdle is that I have two of them and the smaller one does everything that Charlie does and charlie hasn't ate and therefore the little one hasn't either. I bought some rosy from a trusted supplier and I'm gonna see if that'll entice them to eat.