The Puffer Forum

Hello, I just purchased a 4 inch mappa puffer and do not know much about them. Why does he swim around with his tail curled up and will he quit doing that soon? He hides a lot, I know I just got him, but is he a puffer that hides a lot? He is with a yellow tail damsel, a six line wrasse and a small tomatoe clown. They are in a 55 gal. for now. I have had puffers in the past, a gold and a guinea fowl and they was very personable. Will he get personable like my others was?? He eats anything you put in there. I have a lot of live rock for him to chew on and it has power compact light on it. Any info will be appreciated! Thanks!!!

Ahh a mappa puffer lucky you such a beautiful fish. The curled tail can be a sign of submission, nervousness, just give it some time and he/she should settle in. I hope you are prepared to upgrade in tank size as the mappa can get big. Up to 14 + inches I do believe in no time at all if you give into their begging and sound like your guy has an appetite. So started saving cause your going to need a 100 + gl. sooner than you think. As far a tank mates I'm not sure how aggressive these guys get (anyone?).

Photo! Photo!
Pami.

Hello, I have had the puffer for almost 2 weeks and all he will do is hide. He is not very big, so the 55 will do fine for now and there is a 1 1/2" tomatoe clown, six line wrasse and a yellowtail damsel in there. I have plenty of live rock and a good skimmer. The temp is 78. Is he a puffer that is shy and hides a lot?? I have had several dogface puffers in the past and they all was very active and had personalitys. Will he come out of this?? Maybe the clown is picking on him and I do not notice it. He does not have a scratch on him. Please send advice if you know more about Mappa's than I do!! THANKS!!!!

I took the clown out. I did not know if he was picking on him or not, but better safe than sorry. Tomatoe clowns are very aggresive, even at a small size. I thought the puffer could hold his own. There was never no signs of aggresion, but sometimes they just keep them intimadated. I will take out all the other fish, if I have to. This Mappa puffer is one of the coolest I have had and I had a 10 inch gold puffer from Tonga at one time. I am not very good at computers, so I do not know how to load a picture. I have a digital camera and sale stuff on ebay all the time, but if someone could tell me how, I would put a picture of him on this site. Thanks!!!

reefnut wrote:I am not very good at computers, so I do not know how to load a picture. I have a digital camera and sale stuff on ebay all the time, but if someone could tell me how, I would put a picture of him on this site. Thanks!!!

How to post your pictures

If further assistance is needed do not hesitate to send me a PM.

My mappa is small but really aggressive, he's always out and about and pushes around the manilensis that is three times his size when it's dinner time! I bet he just needs to get used to the tank...I also keep my temp higher 80-82F.

Good to have you back, LC!

Feathers&Fins wrote:Good to have you back, LC!

Aww... Thanks!

Hello, my tank has a lot of live rock in it. I thought about taking some out, so he did not have as many hiding places. I am scared it might stress him out and cause ick??? Thanks!!

Hello, its been over a month and he is still very shy. I hope he comes out of this soon. I am thinking about putting a Niger Trigger in with him, maybe that will get him to come out. Thsnk!!

He'll come out more when he's good and comfortable. Forcing him out isn't going to help the situation any. I'd say keep the live rock and be patient.

Surely he must come out for feeding time?

This puffer is known to be shy...DO NOT ADD A TRIGGER, the trigger is too fiesty for the mappa and will stress him out.

Isn't your tank only a 55g?

Hello, yes the tank is just a 55 gal. I have had the puffer for about a month or so and he still does not come out very much. I really like him. He is very cool! I have had sevaral puffers in the past and none of them acted like this one. I know I have not had him very long and he is very young, but I can not stand to see a tank empty, because all he does is hide unless its feeding time. Thanks!!

then add something small like clowns or damsels