Why is my pufferfish doing this?

[FishFinatic ;)]

I bought a porcupine pufferfish about 3-ish months ago, and just a few days ago... he recently started sitting on the bottom of the sand. He seems to be sitting there every time I check on him, although before he would come up to the tank immediately and see what was going on.... I’m not sure why he’s been doing that but I’m going to see if he eats. I hope he’s alright, and I hope this is normal lol, but either way, any thought or ideas would help!!

Thanks again

 

[tkiry1]

Take a pic please

 

[FishFinatic ;)]

Here’s a picture of him kinda sitting on the sand... this pic is taken in the midst of him getting up... although he normally just sits flat on the sand

But... sorry for the algae on the glass lol I still have to scrape it off

 

[jaxredsoxfan]

I have had porcupine puffers in the past that would occasionally sit on bottom, but usually not for long. Do you notice any rapid respiration? Anything added recently that would harass it?

Would really help if you posted your water parameters. Temp, PH, Salinity, Nitrites, Nitrates. What kind of filtration are you using? These can help make educated recommendations.

 

[tkiry1]

Try clams on half shells or krill.. See if he eats that..

 

[FishFinatic ;)]

Try clams on half shells or krill.. See if he eats that..

I just gave him clams on the half shell, although I waited ten minutes for him to eat it and he still hasn’t... he pulled the clam meat out of the shell but it doesn’t look eaten....

 

[FishFinatic ;)]

I have had porcupine puffers in the past that would occasionally sit on bottom, but usually not for long. Do you notice any rapid respiration? Anything added recently that would harass it?

Would really help if you posted your water parameters. Temp, PH, Salinity, Nitrites, Nitrates. What kind of filtration are you using? These can help make educated recommendations.

Nothing added to harass him at all, in fact he’s the only one I’m the tank... I don’t notice any rapid breathing... Temperature is around 78-80, General Hardness is 180 (I’m not sure if that’s bad or not....), Carbonate Hardness is around 80, nitrates are around 20, nitrates are 0, and pH is a little low??? Not sure... take a look....

Actually... quick question... how do I look for rapid breathing???

But here’s my test results (taken just now)

 

[FishFinatic ;)]

I just gave him clams on the half shell, although I waited ten minutes for him to eat it and he still hasn’t... he pulled the clam meat out of the shell but it doesn’t look eaten....

I just gave him some frozen food... some reef nano mix kind of stuff... and he gobbled it up.... good sign I guess....

 

[Hermie]

I would assume flukes (or something else) that lowered his energy level (oxygen loss) which invites him on the substrate where there's less energy required to stay. It's merely an assumption or hypothesis that I would investigate.

 

[FishFinatic ;)]

And sorry for yet another post... just worried about my little guy. But I’m using a hang-on-the back filter, because currently he’s in a 30 gallon tank... (I’m in the process of setting up a 120 for him) so he’s in smaller tank now, that’s why I’m using that type of filtration. The filter pad is a nitrate reducing filter pad.... recommend by my LFS

 

[Jay Z]

Puffers have personalities and some intelligence. He may just be bored.

Some people actually puts toys/objects in the tank for them to play with/explore.

 

[count krunk]

how long has the tank been set up? how old is the rock?

 

[FishFinatic ;)]

Puffers have personalities and some intelligence. He may just be bored.

Some people actually puts toys/objects in the tank for them to play with/explore.

Haha! I’m not laughing cause of this whole situation but I actually created an entire thread about toys for fish lol... but it’s definitely possible... he’s all alone in the tank and at the moment, doesn’t have any toys.

 

[FishFinatic ;)]

how long has the tank been set up? how old is the rock?

The tank has been set up for a little over a year... the rock... ummmmmm.... 5 months maybe??

 

[Hermie]

my GSP (puffer) has a mirror that if I remove he (or she) will go berserk; he (or she) sits in front of the mirror literally all day, every day. Only taking breaks once in a blue moon. I don't mind really because it keeps the puffer occupied and not harassing any hermit crabs or corals.

 

[Phycodurus]

i don’t keep porcupine pufferfish but i wonder if they are social. every now & then, people post about how some fish buddy up with others, even sleeping at night adjacent to each other.

 

[Jay Z]

i don’t keep porcupine pufferfish but i wonder if they are social. every now & then, people post about how some fish buddy up with others, even sleeping at night adjacent to each other.

Lol. My orange storm female sleeps on her side in the corner laying on the substrate touching watchman goby most nights. Keep trying to get pictures of her but no luck sneaking up.