Puffer fish help

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bigtankbigfish

Guest
While i was at the LFS yesterday buying a volitan for my 220 my girl fell in love with this tiny little porcupine puffer. He was very active and healthy appearing, more so than any of his tank mates. I told her we couldnt keep him in my 220 because he'd be a bite size snack so she could buy him and keep him in my 45 FOWLR which has been up and running for 4 months now with damsels and cromis.
Well after about 3 hours or so we noticed he is breathing pretty hard and just kinda laying around lazily. Is this typical behavior or could he be sick. I tested my levels they are all normal. I just dont remember if they breathed that hard in the store.
 
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usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by BigTankBigFish
http:///forum/post/2678823
While i was at the LFS yesterday buying a volitan for my 220 my girl fell in love with this tiny little porcupine puffer. He was very active and healthy appearing, more so than any of his tank mates. I told her we couldnt keep him in my 220 because he'd be a bite size snack so she could buy him and keep him in my 45 FOWLR which has been up and running for 4 months now with damsels and cromis.
Well after about 3 hours or so we noticed he is breathing pretty hard and just kinda laying around lazily. Is this typical behavior or could he be sick. I tested my levels they are all normal. I just dont remember if they breathed that hard in the store.
Fairly normal actually...my puffers (one is a porc) at times lie around all day unless they are hungry...also they are typically much more active at night...nocturnal. The breathing is common as well. You might test your water just to double check, but if none of the other fish seem effected by anything you are most likely fine
. Just keep an eye on him for a day or two to be sure.
 
prime311

prime311

Active Member
That isn't normal. Porc Puffers are very active fish, and if they appear sedentary then its sign of something wrong. The breathing thing, it depends, mine appears to breathe heavy at feeding time, but hes actually just pushing water out of his mouth as Porc Puffers do naturally. Anyway, you just put the Puffer in so he is probably just stressed from the move. BUT a 45 gallon tank isn't nearly large enough to keep this kind of fish. You are talking months before that tank is too small for the Puffer. You need a minimum of 125 gallons to keep a Porcupine Puffer long term, they get HUGE.
 
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bigtankbigfish

Guest
hmm.. one guys says its normal, other guy says its not normal. Can i get a 3rd opinion as a tie breaker??? The fish IMO appears to be in shock from the move, so i should know whether hes sick or just in shock in a few days right? All my other fish are fine and my shrimp too. Puffers are considered hardy fish correct? Ive never owned one before but they cant be more demanding than say triggers are.
btw PRIME, i know this is a small tank but he is a small puffer right now. I have a 220 he can easily be moved to when the time is right, he just needs to put on some size before he can contend for food in that tank.
 
prime311

prime311

Active Member
Yes, they're pretty hardy. As I said, the Puffer is probably just stressed from the move. They should get more active in a day or 2. My porc is constantly roaming the tank searching for food and this is their normal and natural movement. When I bought him from the LFS though, he was just laying around. It'll be good to move into the 220, but considering you just bought a Lion you do realize that Puffers will "sample" a Lions fins and stress them out?
 
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usirchchris

Guest
Just keep an eye on him, but I would not be overly concerned. He probably is stressed being recently moved, you may find that he will not eat anything for few days as well, this is also very common for porcs when they are moved to a new location. I have had my porc for close to a year now...some days he is really active, but days like today...he's just relaxing. This is JMHO. Prime gives great advice on here, and I am not saying one of us is right or wrong...never bad to err on the side of caution.
 
prime311

prime311

Active Member
Yes, its all good. I guess I meant it's not normal for them to sit in one spot(especially when they see Mr. Thatstheguythatbringsmefood), but if it was after changing tanks it could be considered normal :)
 
bioneck47

bioneck47

Member
I'd have to agree that this is normal. Most puffers lay around for some time throughout the day, especially when first introduced. After a while it will be swimming back and forth in front of your tank trying to get your attention.
 
srfisher17

srfisher17

Active Member
Originally Posted by BigTankBigFish
http:///forum/post/2678887
hmm.. one guys says its normal, other guy says its not normal. Can i get a 3rd opinion as a tie breaker??? The fish IMO appears to be in shock from the move, so i should know whether hes sick or just in shock in a few days right? All my other fish are fine and my shrimp too. Puffers are considered hardy fish correct? Ive never owned one before but they cant be more demanding than say triggers are.
btw PRIME, i know this is a small tank but he is a small puffer right now. I have a 220 he can easily be moved to when the time is right, he just needs to put on some size before he can contend for food in that tank.
I can't think of many fish LESS demanding that most triggers. I notice, on another thread that you also have a lion in with your grouper; after the grouper ate a little trigger, this should work. But, your 45 is much too small for a porc puffer (they get huge) and this puffer shouldn't be kept with a lion (very nippy), IMO. Expect the puffer to lunch on the shrimp too. I'd suggest you start researching fish BEFORE you buy them; and get a QT. I'd hate to see your enthusiasm for this hobby ruined by some poor choices.
 
slackjawed

slackjawed

Member
Originally Posted by BigTankBigFish
http:///forum/post/2678887
hmm.. one guys says its normal, other guy says its not normal. Can i get a 3rd opinion as a tie breaker??? The fish IMO appears to be in shock from the move, so i should know whether hes sick or just in shock in a few days right? All my other fish are fine and my shrimp too. Puffers are considered hardy fish correct? Ive never owned one before but they cant be more demanding than say triggers are.
btw PRIME, i know this is a small tank but he is a small puffer right now. I have a 220 he can easily be moved to when the time is right, he just needs to put on some size before he can contend for food in that tank.
he'll be fine in every way!!! when he gets a lttle bigger move him fine for now.had 1 skimmer got him
was a swimmer my dogface is sittin now 2
 
hlcroghan

hlcroghan

Active Member
OMG, you guys are cracking me up. Don't pick on him too much. Everyone here knows he makes some questionable choices when it comes to this hobby. I don't personally agree with them either and he gives some bad advice to newbies. I hope that his tank works out well though and that his fish thrive (if the fish gods are on their side). The comments are pretty funny nonetheless......
:
 
srfisher17

srfisher17

Active Member
Originally Posted by hlcroghan
http:///forum/post/2681771
OMG, you guys are cracking me up. Don't pick on him too much. Everyone here knows he makes some questionable choices when it comes to this hobby. I don't personally agree with them either and he gives some bad advice to newbies. I hope that his tank works out well though and that his fish thrive (if the fish gods are on their side). The comments are pretty funny nonetheless......
:
'Questionable" choices is like saying "Lincoln picked a 'questionable' evening to go to the theater."
 
stdreb27

stdreb27

Active Member
If after a couple days he is the same way then I'd be worried. However I'd just give him time to adjust. I would hope that the 45 is his temporary home while he gets a little bigger to go in the 220. However puffer chew on things like the tips of lionfish's fins. So you may have some compatibility problems with the guy. Also all your shrimp are now going to be puffer food.
They are pretty active once they get the lay of the land. But give it a little time.
 
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