Puffer

[PacsAdmin77]

Hi All,

Ever since I snagged this mappa puffer from DD, he’s always been pudgy and swims with his tail wrapped around his body. He’s been in my QT since Day 1 and I’m using API GC, well, because puffers almost always come with internal parasites plus its poop is white which is symptomatic of intestinal parasites (or so I’ve been told). I’ve been feeding it krill and it’s doing fine until yesterday when it started becoming lethargic. Now it tends to just lay on flat surface and not move much. Does anyone know why it’s pudgy, swims with tail wrapped, and lethargic? Sorry, I’ve never taken care of puffers before so I’d like to know as much as possible.

 

[ReefHog]

I would definitely mix up his diet. I have a Porcupine thats doing great for about 7 years. He gets LRS, clams, shrimp, Krill, squid mixed up each day and a small Nori sheet every day. I figure they get a lot of algae in the wild from the rocks/coral they bite. Something that you never hear discussed. I watch the puffers biting the rocks along the marina in Cabo San Lucas all the time. Make sure his teeth are not overgrown. They have a very hard time eating if their mouth can't open all the way. I feed mine with custom made tweezers I made with diamond dust coating to grind his teeth at every feeding. I don't feed him a lot. Just two or three small pieces a day. The nori makes up the rest. Hes about five times his original size, so he's growing, but still only about 6". You could also try feeding him at night a few hours after lights out if he's out. That way no competition from tank mates. Mine is out and about every night and comes right to the front glass if I walk by.

 

[Sorcha2]

If you really want a puffer I'd suggest starting a small fresh or brackish water tank. There are several varieties of small fresh and brackish puffers that stay pretty tiny and have great personalities.

 

[Jesterrace]

Can you have a puffer in a reef tank with high flow

Depends on the Puffer. Many folks keep Valentini's without much issue, but if you want any of the larger puffers, then I agree it's best to avoid them in a reef.

https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/250/saddle-valentini-puffer?pcatid=250&c=15+39+250

 

[puffy127]

I have a blue spot and valentini puffer in my mixed reef (euphyllia, monti caps, and acros). No issues with nipping, but YMMV.

 

[PacsAdmin77]

Is it normal for a mappa puffer to change to a completely dark color for more than a few days? Mine turns black for a few hours between feedings but it would change to its beautiful scribbled self the rest of the time. But two days ago, it’s stayed black thru-out the day. Its appetite hasn’t changed though. I’m just curious as to why it would stay black for so long. Anyone know?

 

[tkiry1]

Is it normal for a mappa puffer to change to a completely dark color for more than a few days? Mine turns black for a few hours between feedings but it would change to its beautiful scribbled self the rest of the time. But two days ago, it’s stayed black thru-out the day. Its appetite hasn’t changed though. I’m just curious as to why it would stay black for so long. Anyone know?

Mine has stayed black or dark for two days but eats and now is swimming around.. Just weird.... Lol....

 

[tkiry1]

Is it normal for a mappa puffer to change to a completely dark color for more than a few days? Mine turns black for a few hours between feedings but it would change to its beautiful scribbled self the rest of the time. But two days ago, it’s stayed black thru-out the day. Its appetite hasn’t changed though. I’m just curious as to why it would stay black for so long. Anyone know?

They can change color on the fly around depending on their mood....

 

[PacsAdmin77]

They can change color on the fly around depending on their mood....

So by turning dark, is my mappa emo? Lol

 

[tkiry1]

So by turning dark, is my mappa emo? Lol

Yes...emotional...

Now he is dark.. But eating not a mark on him nobody bothering him...I put him in 60 gallon by himself and just fine.. Stayed dark in there so put back in display tank...

 

[tkiry1]

So by turning dark, is my mappa emo? Lol

Mappas can be lazy.... Few people told me to not feed for a two days...

 

[tkiry1]

So by turning dark, is my mappa emo? Lol

Now look at him... He's ticked at me for moving him..

 

[PacsAdmin77]

Now look at him... He's ****** at me for moving him..

Haha mine’s even darker than yours. He normally has a nice speckled pattern. For the past few days, he’s been moody, I guess lol.

 

[tkiry1]

Haha mine’s even darker than yours. He normally has a nice speckled pattern. For the past few days, he’s been moody, I guess lol.

Mines getting better.. Yours looks healthy...

 

[PacsAdmin77]

Mines getting better.. Yours looks healthy...

Hmmm sarcasm or trollololololol? Doesn’t matter either way. I posted my inquiry to gain some insight into my mappa’s current behavior. Didn’t expect it to turn into a ticking contest

 

[tkiry1]

Hmmm sarcasm or trollololololol? Doesn’t matter either way. I posted my inquiry to gain some insight into my mappa’s current behavior. Didn’t expect it to turn into a ******* contest

Did I say something wrong? Just saying your looks healthy even though dark... Just like mine... Dark but healthy....I know they change colors depending on mood and surroundings.. I meant nothing else...

 

[puffy127]

Did I say something wrong? Just saying your looks healthy even though dark... Just like mine... Dark but healthy....I know they change colors depending on mood and surroundings.. I meant nothing else...

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[tkiry1]

I was wondering the same thing.

OK..

 

[PacsAdmin77]

Did I say something wrong? Just saying your looks healthy even though dark... Just like mine... Dark but healthy....I know they change colors depending on mood and surroundings.. I meant nothing else...

Apologies for snapping at you earlier. I’d misread the quote. Since my last rant (3/17), my mappa stayed dark even after transferring from QT to DT. Now I’m starting to worry if there’s anything wrong with it. Granted, it’s eating fine and will occasionally take a swim around the DT, but most of the time, it’s just sitting (?) on top of the power head. Is this “typical” mappa behavior (aka laziness) or a sign of something else?

 

[tkiry1]

Apologies for snapping at you earlier. I’d misread the quote. Since my last rant (3/17), my mappa stayed dark even after transferring from QT to DT. Now I’m starting to worry if there’s anything wrong with it. Granted, it’s eating fine and will occasionally take a swim around the DT, but most of the time, it’s just sitting (?) on top of the power head. Is this “typical” mappa behavior (aka laziness) or a sign of something else?

Let me have some more pictures from u.. And no problem. I think it's laziness.. Mine was dark and lazy but ate.. I traded it in for another mappa.. They are definitely notoriously known for being lazy..