The Puffer Forum

OK -- So I got my F8 finally. He/she's in a BioSpira cycled 12 gallon (and yes, I'll move him to a 15 gallon or bigger within a few months -- he's about 1.75" long now but I hope he grows fast!) Nitrites and Ammonia are both at 0. Problem -- I had the heater on 82 but checked the thermometer today and it was 90 in there! I immediately switched the heater down to 75 and it's cooled down to 88 over the last hour. I've opened the cover and turned off the light. Anyway, have I caused any damage? I'm certain I won't have an ich problem now! I checked the heat and nitrites/ammonia because I noticed he/she slowed down a lot. Yesterday zipping around the tank -- today, meandering slowly. Would a high temp slow him/her down that much? I know it slows me down.

Another thing -- 2 mini-krill and his stomach looks like he finished off Thanksgiving. 1/2 or so later, looks normal. Is that "normal"? The size of the belly seems disproportionate to the amount of food.

Name -- how's this? I'll call him a "he" now because of the name: He's an F8 = 8 looks like an infinity symbol = reminded me of "To infinity and beyond" = reminded me of Buzz Lightyear. So, I think I have a name -- Buzz Lightyear. Buzz for short.

Thanks for all your help -- Coop

The belly size seems about right, but if he seems a bit "thin" looking to you over the next few months you might want to consider deworming him.

Keep an eye on him, my guess is he'll be fine from the temp change but its always better to watch for problems and catch them early.

Hey all! Tank cooled down to 78 and stablized. I guess my heater settings are off by about 5 degrees and the AC was broke in the office the first half of the day -- plus with the light on. Anyway, all is well. Buzz is MUCH more active today and bright almost metalic golden yellow-green with his brown giraffe sploches. Begging like a bad dog at the dinner table. No frear of me anymore -- constantly on the corner of the tank closest to me.

Question -- how smart are they? If I look away from the tank and at my computer he swims away. As soon as I turn my head back that way, he comes swimming across the tank to beg more. Are they that in tune that when they see the humans eyes/face they know we are captivated??

it may be more movement based than face recognition. If I'm still enough, my gsp will eventually swim away and continue his patrol, even if i'm staring right at him motionless. But the moment I move he comes tearing back at me.

Let's keep that our little secret. I'm impressing my co-workers with my incredibly intellegent fish!