Porcupine puffer

[mischelle_99]

Sig other got me a porcupine puffer yesterday... oh my! Before everyone starts in... I already know he is not good for my tank for several reasons. Everytime we have seen one, Tim has wanted to get one and I kept telling him that we can not have one. Anyhow I have him in there and so far so good. He is just hanging out in the back corner and scaling the glass up and down. He has not eaten yet and doesn't seem interested in food at the moment. He likes to hang out with the cleaner shrimp and get cleaned... lol. Not sure how long that will last before he eats one. Sometimes he just lays on the bottom of the tank all still and scares me... I keep thinking he is dying. Then he starts swimming up and down the glass. Is this normal behavior or should I be worried?

Is there anyone who would be interested in taking him if this does not work out... which I'm sure eventually it will not. For one, even if he doesn't bother the livestock, my tank is not big enough for when he gets bigger.

 

[dalston]

Usually, when new to a tank, puffers will just lay on the bottom until they are used to their new surroundings.

If I was you, I would pull him while there has been no casualties or say goodbye to your inverts, LPS, ect...

 

[mischelle_99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15308386#post15308386 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dalston
Usually, when new to a tank, puffers will just lay on the bottom until they are used to their new surroundings.

If I was you, I would pull him while there has been no casualties or say goodbye to your inverts, LPS, ect...

Thanks for the reply. The sig other (Tim) is determined to have what he wants. I know that it is only a matter of time and he will have to go.... therefore I am not gonna get attached to him. I can only hope that his first meal is not my fire shrimp. That is an expensive meal.

 

[mischelle_99]

I have found someone to take him when the time comes... thanks.

 

[kcz712k]

yea puffer fish do weird things when you add them to a new tank. It won't be long until he makes himself at home eating your reef. Also puffers put off a huge amount of waste so you want to make sure to start a new tank for him or take him to LFS before he ruins your beautiful tank. I saw pictures of your tank on az reefs.

 

[richardg6409]

mischelle, great excuse to get another tank. It is a lot better when your significant other is involved to some extent in the hobby--makes things a lot easier, trust me

I had one of these fish and he was my favorite. They are like puppy dogs and eat from your fingers and follow you around when you are in front of the tank. Definitely needs to be in FOWLR tank as they will eat everything in sight and produce so much waste.

 

[mischelle_99]

He is more active now and has eaten a piece of silverside and squid. How much should I be feeding him? I want to make sure he gets enough to eat so that he doesn't go looking elsewhere but I also read that you should not feed them too much. How much is too much?

 

[mxman311]

Time for a FOWLR tank.

 

[gillies]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15320328#post15320328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mxman311
Time for a FOWLR tank.

+1. You now have a tank fit for a puffer. You have room for one other relatively mellow agressive fish (I suggest a niger trigger) and a few damsels to be replaced as they disappear, if necessary (damsels are tough little fish). Enjoy your FOWLR - they are great tanks in their own way. Throw 'em some live feeders once in a while - Tim will probably dig that.

What you put in your tank will decide what else goes in there.

Cheers!

 

[dalston]

^ she already has a ton of corals in the tank, mainly LSP and softies from what I remember from the pics.

 

[mischelle_99]

Lots and lots of corals. So far everything is still good... I am shocked.

 

[dalston]

That's a really beautiful tank Mischelle, I really do hope the puffer doesn't cause too much distruction.

BTW, is he in the pic above? I can't spot him...

 

[mischelle_99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15326706#post15326706 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dalston
That's a really beautiful tank Mischelle, I really do hope the puffer doesn't cause too much distruction.

BTW, is he in the pic above? I can't spot him...

Thank you!! :0)

No he's not in that pic. I'll take some pics and post.

 

[mischelle_99]

Here's some pics...

 

[dalston]

He looks like a big boy...don't let that cute face fool you

All I can say is, you're a lot braver than me!

 

[mischelle_99]

Do you see him eyeballing that crab in the last pic??? LOL

He does that a lot... but he hasn't eaten any yet (crossing my fingers and praying to God).