My Puffer seems unhappy

[happy camper]

I got a little dogface puffer yesterday. I acclimated him for about 2 hours, left the lights out and put him in his new home. He seemed ok, checked out things then got in a corner and, I guess, slept all night. Today he has done nothing but swim up and down one side of the glass. He won't eat. I turned the lights off and it seemed to help a bit but then he was right back at it.
These are my numbers: SG 1.028, Ph 8.2, amonia 0, nitrates 0, temp 78. He is not being bothered. There is a tiny domino and a coral banded shrimp, a handful of snails and couple of hermits.
Any ideas? Am I just worried for nothing?

 

[small triggers]

puffers take longer to acclimate. I wouldnt worry for a few days,, plus the coral banded shrimp will be a good snack when he gets hungry enough

 

[happy camper]

Thanks, that makes me feel a little better. I was a little worried that that might happen with the coral banded but he is very tiny too. Maybe he will stay in the rock and out of sight. Usually does

 

[jabari]

I recently just purchased a small porcupine puffer myself maybe a week ago or so, and he did the same thing. He wouldn't eat my frozen krill and paced up and down. I have quite a few porcupines in the past and they would eat ne thing i put in the tank. I got some guppies and put them in the tank and he didnt seem to care and then he would eat the ones that died, and then i got some fish garlic(which is good to mix in with any/all of ur frozen food) and mixed it in with my frozen krill and he now eats that. Although still he doesn't act like ne of my other puffers i had, they were all very lively and would run to the front of the tank when they saw me..he just moves away and goes about his bussiness. U may just have a retard puffer on ur hands like i do. Particular fish just have different dispositions i guess

 

[maddog0118]

with porcupine puffers they seem more agressive in eating habits than my dogface....especiallly in the beginning..your snail and shrimp that you use to have!!!!!!i had 35snails and 12 emerald crabs...havent seen the crabs and i had a snail graveyard and i also bought a small clown he i sgone and then i figured i buy i diamond goby for my sand and they are quick but apparently not quick enough he lasted 2 hours...so i would be careful with tiny fish..

 

[kjr_trig]

Originally Posted by Happy Camper
http:///forum/post/2965140
SG 1.028
Curious why your SG is so high? Chances are wherever he came from they had the SG around 1.020.

 

[happy camper]

The SG was high. I realized it when I was checking everything. Can't answer why other than I just haven't paid enough attention. I did slowly lower it back down to 1.023.
I think the little guy is gonna die. Still hasn't eaten anything. Its belly looks wrinkled/shrinking.

 

[pleasants9]

have you tried live feeder shrimp?

 

[happy camper]

I haven't tried the live shrimp. I will today. Anything is worth a shot. He still hasn't eat a bite.

 

[pleasants9]

mine was hesitant but the live shrimp prob got himmost active in the begining. also if you haveother fish eating the food before he gets to it try feeding at night when the other fishies are sleeping. best of luck!

 

[happy camper]

Ok, next problem/question: Can I put antibiotic meds in a tank with live rock? The little guy got sucked into a powerhead and now has an open wound. I feel awful. This little guy is having a terrible start.

 

[pleasants9]

dang once this guy finally gets settled in hes gonna be a right tough puffer, sorry i dont know enough to tell you about the medication. did he eat the live shrimp at least yet?

 

[happy camper]

Still not eating. He is up swimming. Your right.... He is a tough little dude.

 

[zacg]

what size tank do you have the puffer in?

 

[happy camper]

He is in a 20g right now. I know its small, but its bigger than the 10g QT I have. The puffer is only about 2 inches right now. He will be going into a 120g later, assuming he lives through it all. Still hangin in so far.

 

[pleasants9]

i got one more idea, i cant remember if youve tried it, get a clam or mussel on the half shell, defrost it mabye put somevitamins on it drop it in the tank and let him go at it at his own leisure....

 

[happy camper]

I haven't used either of those, but I have a whole shrimp in with garlic on it. I stuck it in the rock close to him. This is the first time he is looking interested. I am tryin to leave him alone, but I tell you its hard when he is finally giving me some hope!! Keep your fingers crossed!

 

[unleashed]

try feeding smaller peices of foods on a feeding stick because he is so small he may not go after larger foods just yet.. once i got my porc to accept foods on a stick he pounces any foods now without one.. the stick will also help him recognise you as his source of food.. i would also suggest lowering your SG bring it down to 1.025 might make it a lil less stressful on the little guy

 

[prime311]

Put the food on a feeding prong and rub it against his mouth until he bites at it. This is how I got my latest puffer to eat.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by Happy Camper
http:///forum/post/2967819
Ok, next problem/question: Can I put antibiotic meds in a tank with live rock? The little guy got sucked into a powerhead and now has an open wound. I feel awful. This little guy is having a terrible start.
There are antibiotic meds that claim to be safe with LR; but unless the wound appears infected, medication may not be needed. The big problem is that PHs can really do damage to the fish's insides if they get stuck on one, even for a short time.