Strange happenings

[englishbulldog]

Hello everyone this is the first time I have posted anything on a forum before so please bear with me. Anyway here it is I just purchased a small porcupine puffer and put him in my quarantine tank (there are also four medium hermits, just never switched them over to display tank). Of course I was thinking the puffer would eat them, but I was wrong!, the hermits attacked him and I had to seperate them. Is this normal, if not was is going on?

 

[reefforbrains]

Thats like getting attacked by a bowl of cornflakes in the morning!!!
How big of hermits are they? Where is the puffer from? You say hes small so he might not have it in his head yet that those pesky critters are snacks.
When puffers are bummed out they can sit and lounge around making them perfect targets for agressive little crabs. This should go away with time as your puffer gets more acclimated to your tank and his surroundings.
Any way to pull the hermits for now untill he gets his groove on in your DT. I am sure it is nothing to worry about after he gets up to speed.
Wonderful fish. Smart and interactive.

 

[coral keeper]

Originally Posted by ReefForBrains
http:///forum/post/2580458
Thats like getting attacked by a bowl of cornflakes in the morning!!!
LOL!!

 

[englishbulldog]

Thank you for the reply, being that I am fairly new to the saltwater world, however I was a bit confused. Apologize for the long delay in response the kids had swim class

 

[reefforbrains]

Originally Posted by englishbulldog
http:///forum/post/2580601
Thank you for the reply, being that I am fairly new to the saltwater world, however I was a bit confused. Apologize for the long delay in response the kids had swim class
Long delay? Anything under a week is good for this board. Welcome to the boards and also the hobby.
I am sure the puffer will become your family friend. If not familair with porky puffers, they will shock you will how much affection and emotion they show to thier family.
They will get to know each member of the houshold and actually form oppinions of them. I have had porky puffers that spit water to get your attention. Or come to the water surface and chirp at the dog to get a reaction. Much more than a cool fish, they are smart little creatures in thier own right. Be sure to be known as the one with the krill and they will LOVE you.
Puppydog eyes for a piece of krill, they will have you trained in no time flat.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by englishbulldog
http:///forum/post/2580451
Hello everyone this is the first time I have posted anything on a forum before so please bear with me. Anyway here it is I just purchased a small porcupine puffer and put him in my quarantine tank (there are also four medium hermits, just never switched them over to display tank). Of course I was thinking the puffer would eat them, but I was wrong!, the hermits attacked him and I had to seperate them. Is this normal, if not was is going on?
Welcome to the boards! Hermits move slowly, but will go for anything. How is the puffer doing? Was he laying on the bottom? Has he eaten yet?

 

[krautburner]

Originally Posted by ReefForBrains
http:///forum/post/2580781
Long delay? Anything under a week is good for this board. Welcome to the boards and also the hobby.
I am sure the puffer will become your family friend. If not familair with porky puffers, they will shock you will how much affection and emotion they show to thier family.
They will get to know each member of the houshold and actually form oppinions of them. I have had porky puffers that spit water to get your attention. Or come to the water surface and chirp at the dog to get a reaction. Much more than a cool fish, they are smart little creatures in thier own right. Be sure to be known as the one with the krill and they will LOVE you.
Puppydog eyes for a piece of krill, they will have you trained in no time flat.

I really want one now

but I keep reading they will eat my corals

 

[reefforbrains]

Originally Posted by KrautBurner
http:///forum/post/2581050
I really want one now

but I keep reading they will eat my corals

I can only speak from my own exp. but I have kept puffers in reef with no issues at all.
I would post pic but dont want to hijack.

 

[englishbulldog]

Well, he didn't make it, but I wonder if maybe there was something wrong with him from the start. I did approx 2 months worth of research on him to even see if he would be right for me. I am however going to get another one, but this time no hermits in the QT. They have got to be the most aggressive hermits I have ever seen, and their just medium sized, maybe 1 1/2 inches. But thanks again for all the insight.

 

[usirchchris]

Sounds like there had to be something else. How small was the puffer?...it would almost seem to me that the hermits intuitively knew the puffer was weak so they attacked. Any puffer should be able to pull away from a hermit with no problem...hermits are so slow, I truly don't think they would have been any initial problem leading to his death. At any rate sorry to hear about your fish, and I am glad to hear you are not too discouraged and that you will try again

.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by englishbulldog
http:///forum/post/2582388
Well, he didn't make it, but I wonder if maybe there was something wrong with him from the start. I did approx 2 months worth of research on him to even see if he would be right for me. I am however going to get another one, but this time no hermits in the QT. They have got to be the most aggressive hermits I have ever seen, and their just medium sized, maybe 1 1/2 inches. But thanks again for all the insight.
The hermits would not have the chance to eat a healthy fish. When you get another, be certain that he is eating at the LFS. If you cannot do that then be sure to acclimate him slowly and watch him closely. Good luck on the next one

 

[englishbulldog]

The puffer couldn't have been more than 2 1/2 inches from head to tail. I thank you all for your help and information on this, none the less I didn't want the poor little guy to die. My children were crushed, so I have to get one again to get my 7 year old off my case.