The Puffer Forum

I bought this puffer a few days ago at our lfs and was told that it was a red eyed puffer. I have posted some photos of him/her on another fish site and now find that maybe he/she isn't a red eyed and one thinks maybe it's a Mbu Puffer, if anyone here can help me id this puffer I would be very happy So far he stays on the bottom but he was attacked by another puffer before the fish store took him back so he's still trying to overcome his wounds. I"m adding Melafix meds to his tank and leaving him alone other than to just feed him so he doesn't get stressed out. He looks to be about 3 inches in lenght but I haven't had a chance to measure him to be sure. He's eating blood worms which is a nice sign that maybe he's going to heal and make it. Again any help or suggestions on what type of puffer this is would be great.

Thank you very much
Rene

Definately not a mbu. Looks like a turgidus. Compare him to the pics in our Pufferpedia.

Yep, likely a turgidus, if he doesn't have a big eyespot below the dorsal fin.

Looks like a Turgidus

yep not a Mbu thats for sure, Turgidis seems a good shout. Good luck with mending him

Thanks everyone, I did look at some pictures of the Turgidus online and I think that is what my puffer is too. Looks like they get to about 6 inches and need to be in a tank by itself. If anyone has any other good info on these beautiful puffers I would love to hear it. Mine is eating but doesn't do much else but hide behind a rock in the corner or in a log cave, he/she was beaten up pretty bad by another puffer of the same type by the people who had it (which is why they took it back to our lfs where they bought it) I'm adding melafix to the tank to try and heal the wound which is looking a bit better.

Thank you all again,
Rene

Puffers generally take time to settle in, providing some kind of cave will amke him feel a bit more secure and safe

My turgidus is pretty much nocturnal. He spends most of his day relaxing in his cave, unless he's hungry. When he's hungry, he comes out and makes a big fuss until I feed him.

At night though, I can see him drifting around the tank, and I wake up every morning to him staring at me. As soon as my eyes are open he wiggles all over like he's saying good morning (or "i'd like to eat you!") and then he goes back to his cave for the day.

Not a very exciting puffer, but very cute and interesting in its own way. Just don't expect it to be out at the glass greeting you like a GSP or F8 would, they generally only do that if hungry.