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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/27/2007 12:45:48 PM
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I have a Arothron diadematus that has been with me for almost a year and is already 4". I am having great difficulty finding suitable tankmates for him.
A porcupine puffer he was living with for more then a year with no problems suddenly decided he did not like the panda anymore and bit the crap out of him one night. Soon as I saw, I removed the porcupine from the tank and moved him to QT for future transfer to a new tank.
Same thing happened with a 2" picasso trigger. After 8 months decided he did not like the panda and started nipping him endlessly. Had to give him away.
Now my moorish idol is starting to do the same thing. Nip at his tail and face. He has very small/weak jaws and teeth so I am not worried but soon I will remove him too and put him in with the porcupine in the new 220 gallon tank.
The panda is very gentle and peaceful but whenever he sees aggression he turns upside down and shows his underbelly to the other fish. Submissive act right? Well it does not work because they just bite him anyway.
The only fish that has been good to the panda puffer is my teardrop butterflyfish.
Tank is 125 gallon new tank is 220 gallon.
I am afraid to put in small fish with the panda because although he is very gentle and peaceful, I have read that he will consume smaller fish.
So I am left with a 4" panda and a 4" teardrop butterfly in a 125. Is there any suitable tankmates who are not territorial that will NOT harrass my poor panda anymore?
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 10/7/2008 12:38:12 PM
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| This is a common scenario with this species of puffers. The behavior you are describing is an act of submission or fear. Chronic fear is chronic stress which can affect the immune system as well as the longevity of the fish. If fish 'sense' weakness or injury in another fish, that fish will often become the victim of bullying. They are more submissive and secretive than other arothrons. I would recommend smaller non aggressive fish. I have successfully kept rabbitfish and squirrel fish with Panda puffers. Panda puffers do not commonly eat other tankmates but will eat polyps, leathers, mushrooms, ricordea, etc. Can you share a picture of puffer?
Kelly
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/27/2007 12:45:48 PM
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I was wishing for a Meiacanthus atrodorsalis but someone reminded me that puffers will eat smaller fish. Will this fish (max 3-4") be suitable? I understand they are venemous so if a bite does accidently occur, will this kill the panda? Or just teach him a lesson?
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 10/7/2008 12:38:12 PM
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| Thanks for sharing. I do not think that the panda would eat the blenny but I would not 'tempt fate' - teaching a lesson can come at the cost of a nasty wound...infection....potential death. Again, thanks for sharing/posting.
Kelly
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/27/2007 12:45:48 PM
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when you say you would not tempt fate, do you mean do not temp the puffer with a fish this size and body shape because he might eat him or do not tempt fate because the puffer might get bit?
I am asking because the red sea mimic blenny mimics these fangs blennies (and it not venomous to boot), so would that be ok to put with the puffer?
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 10/7/2008 12:38:12 PM
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ralphie16 (6/13/2007)
when you say you would not tempt fate, do you mean do not temp the puffer with a fish this size and body shape because he might eat him or do not tempt fate because the puffer might get bit?Both - I am considering the well being of both.
I am asking because the red sea mimic blenny mimics these fangs blennies (and it not venomous to boot), so would that be ok to put with the puffer? After quarantining the blenny and getting it used to aquarium life - I would watch carefully when it is introduced into the puffer tank. Might consider rearranging the rock work/landscape and introduce at night after a feeding. Might also consider dividing the tank with a screen temporarily to let the fish get used to seeing each other. Keep us updated. Best of luck.
Kelly
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