my dwarf puffers are wimps

Pallen81

Pallen81

TheSunCoralTamer
Jun 20, 2006
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Lawrenceville, NJ
www.mygodmusic.com
My 3 dwarf puffers have been hiding for the last month among the thick plants. They used to come out to see me when I approached the tank, were curious about me, and very eager to eat. Now they appear terrified and only hide in small corners and only swim when trying to hide from me. They do not appear to have any disease as I can tell. Their colors look fine and they still have nice little bellies on them so I know they aren’t starving.

Addition Info: I’ve had my dwarf puffers for about 6 months. They are in a 10 Gallon tank with 2 Oto’s. The water chemistry is Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 15, pH 7.2. I do 40% water change/siphon/clean filters once a week. Change filters every month. I feed them live black worms.

Why have they stopped being friendly and appear constantly stressed? have others had this same experience? Could it be the Oto's annoying them?
 
I doubt it's the otos bugging them. Do you have a cat or anything that might like to chase the fish around the tank? Do any of the puffers seem dominant and nippy?

I have a 20 gallon tank on a lower shelf of a stand, and my cat will harass the cories to no end if given the chance. They now hide whenever they see a sudden movement outside the tank. I had to start leaving the fish room door closed since the cories wouldn't even come out to eat.

Your water parameters look good, so it doesn't seem like stress.
 
no other pets, just fish tanks.

no fish seems dominate, they all hide in little corners.

i know i can't figure it out. their personalities have totally changed 100%.
 
I'd try over at the dwarfpuffers.com/forum if you haven't already. The folks there might have some more ideas for you.

If it sounded more territorial, I'd say try rearranging the tank a bit. At this point though that might freak them out even more.

Is the temperature in the tank the same as it always has been?
 
yes, the temperature is very steady.

i rearrange the decor every two weeks just to keep them on them interested in their surroundings.

they have nothing to fear, I've always taken care of them the exact same way since I got them... they never used to be scared.

yes maybe I'll try that forum.

any other ideas? I know it just doesn't seem to make sense...
 
I've never had dwarfs but my F8s are sensitive to being bullied, they behaved just like yours when I had a bossy moly in the tank with them. If you see any fish bothering them that will be what it is. Some people say that their puffers get upset when they move things about in the tank although mine don't mind. Each puffer has it's own personality and they can be prone to taking a huff when things don't go their way! My bet would be on a bully in the tank, is it only ottos you've got in there? Hope you work it out.
 
yes, i only have 2 oto's with them...

the have been hiding so much in the last week, that i am starting to get really worried about them. in the last few days they have stopped eating as well.

could there be an internal disease or parasite infection going on here? I'm getting worried. The still have decent little bellies, but they have gotten a bit thinner over the last month.
 
In my experience a puffer that doesn't eat is not a good thing at all. Have you checked the water quality since your first post? I'm kind of grasping at straws here but puffers are sensitive to wateer quality. Be careful that uneaten food is not getting left in the tank as this will make things worse. I'd try finding more specific info on dwarf puffers from someone who knows about them. The puffer forum is good. http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/index.php Try posting there.
 
i checked the water quality last week. it was the same as always.

I did a water change last night so I haven't had time to check the chemistry yet. I expect it to be the same as it usually is. I've gotten really good at keeping the chemistry very stable.

If they don't eat tonight, I may take the oto's out to see if they swim around more...... i don't know.
 
I'm sorry to hear this....they are such cool little fish! My bet would be on an internal parasite problem. What have you fed them lately, say over the last 2 months? Has there been any live food given to them?
 
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