Odd puffer behavior?

sappho · 10/16/2016, 11:09 AM

My dogface puffer keeps trying to get into a hollow pineapple house ornament? She periodically swims furiously into it then pops backwards when she doesn't fit. Im certain there is nothing in there, Ive looked. I wouldn't be too concerned about it but shes been doing this for days. And when shes not struggling in the opening, she just sits with her snout tucked in it. Why is she doing this?

shadowmonster · 10/16/2016, 11:12 AM

I don't really have an answer for you, but puffers are very inquisitive fish IME.

j_mazzy · 10/16/2016, 11:16 AM

She's looking for Bob. Probably failed his drivers test again and she's in trouble.

Walla2GSP · 10/16/2016, 11:56 AM

She may be trying to hide in it. Does she have a regular cave to hide in? Dogface puffers are a little like snakes in that they need a tight hole to wedge themselves into that they can't be easily removed from. That is why aquascaping a puffer tank with multiple caves of varying dimensions and flowrates is so important. Do you have other inhabitants that could be bullying her? Especially smaller fish.

Flaring Afro · 10/17/2016, 06:39 AM

The image you posted doesn't load. If the hole is close enough so that the dogface almost can fit, I'd remove it to make sure she doesn't get stuck. I'm also guessing you don't have a cave for her to hide in.

fishchef · 10/17/2016, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flaring Afro

The image you posted doesn't load. If the hole is close enough so that the dogface almost can fit, I'd remove it to make sure she doesn't get stuck. I'm also guessing you don't have a cave for her to hide in.

Yes, I'd remove the ornament, also. We had a Puffer for years and never had a cave. Don't remember it hiding much. It was very friendly and got very large.

Walla2GSP · 10/17/2016, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishchef

... We had a Puffer for years and never had a cave. Don't remember it hiding much. ...

What kind of puffer? Most Arothron will spend at least part of the day chillin' in
a hole in the rock. My dogface is very friendly and really loves to be fed, but spends a large portion in the middle of the day in one of his caves. And lately, I added two smaller fish that will take his food so he pouts a lot when I feed.

10/16/2016, 11:09 AM	#1
sappho Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 42	Odd puffer behavior? My dogface puffer keeps trying to get into a hollow pineapple house ornament? She periodically swims furiously into it then pops backwards when she doesn't fit. Im certain there is nothing in there, Ive looked. I wouldn't be too concerned about it but shes been doing this for days. And when shes not struggling in the opening, she just sits with her snout tucked in it. Why is she doing this?

10/16/2016, 11:12 AM	#2
shadowmonster Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Haddonfield, IL Posts: 197	I don't really have an answer for you, but puffers are very inquisitive fish IME.

10/16/2016, 11:16 AM	#3
j_mazzy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: about an hour from charlotte Posts: 622	She's looking for Bob. Probably failed his drivers test again and she's in trouble.

10/16/2016, 11:56 AM	#4
Walla2GSP Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Out here Posts: 201	She may be trying to hide in it. Does she have a regular cave to hide in? Dogface puffers are a little like snakes in that they need a tight hole to wedge themselves into that they can't be easily removed from. That is why aquascaping a puffer tank with multiple caves of varying dimensions and flowrates is so important. Do you have other inhabitants that could be bullying her? Especially smaller fish.

10/17/2016, 06:39 AM	#5
Flaring Afro Puffer Geek Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 325	The image you posted doesn't load. If the hole is close enough so that the dogface almost can fit, I'd remove it to make sure she doesn't get stuck. I'm also guessing you don't have a cave for her to hide in.