T Fishie

My dwarf puffer (figure 8) has not been eating.I switched her to bloodworms and she tore them up, but only once.I've even put them right in front of her. She just looks at them and goes the other way.I actually thought that she was dead this morning b/c since yesterday she was snuggled under a plant just sleeping. I even did a water change and she would not move. She is swimming around now but ahe sleeps alot! I wonder, does she need another puffer to hang out with?None of the other fish bother her and she doesn't bother them.I'm worried about her!

haddaj04

what are your water parameters?

T Fishie

I just did a 20% water change.I was a little late on that water change but I'm going to test my water again today.

sirdarksol

How big of a tank? Is it brackish or fresh? How long as the tank been set up?

Figure 8's are not dwarf puffers. They get to be six inches long and should have a minimum of 15g of water to swim in. They prefer very mildly brackish water 1.005-1.008. They are also really sensitive to nitrites and nitrates.

Also, pay really close attention to the puffer's behavior. Nearly all puffers end up being pretty belligerent toward their tankmates. Even the true dwarf puffers (the ones that are 1" long), can do serious harm to large tankmates.

T Fishie

It's a 55gallon freshwater.I was told that she would be ok in freshwater when I bought her.The tank has been set up for a few months now.I'm keeping a close eye on her.

sirdarksol

Okay, she's got enough space. That's good. They can live in freshwater, but they prefer very mildly brackish. Unfortunately, aquarists around the world are very confused about the care needs for different puffers. Combine this with the fact that there are still people who think that "surviving" is the same as "thriving," and you end up with a lot of mixed advice. Anyway, there shouldn't be any issue with her surviving with the fresh water, as long as nitrite and nitrate levels are kept way down.

Providing lots of hiding spaces (live plants are best, as they will make the puffer feel more comfortable) will help your other fish survive. Puffers' territoriality seems to largely be linked with sight, and if a target has been removed from line-of-sight, they don't pay attention anymore.
December 2007 Aquarium Hobbyist says that figure-eight puffers are peaceful as juveniles, but adults can become territorial fin-nippers. They are somewhat intolerant of their own kind. They won't kill each other, but they'll fight.
They tend to ignore bottom-dwelling fish, such as gobies, but mid-water fish like mollies and glassfish can trigger aggression.
In an under-stocked tank, this can work. AH has the same base suggestion that I have: Watch and be ready to remove either the puffer or the other fish at the first sign of trouble. From a puffer, even a "gentle" nip can remove a significant amount of fin, skin, or flesh.

Sam Livingston

Dwarf Puffers thrive in Freshwater. Brackish water decreases there life span. They are the only puffer that are completely fresh water. In my experience dwarf puffers can be complicated eaters... A lot of them are shy and cautious of their owners and so will not eat when the owner puts food in the tank and is standing right next to the tank. One of my puffers never ate when I was close to the tank, yet lived for a long time and became quite plump for a puffer. He might be sick but also just might be "shy" and eats when no one is around.
Also what do you have in the 55 gallon tank with the dwarf puffer? They are extremely aggressive! The dwarves have the Napolean complex and are the most aggressive of all puffers. Don't be fooled by their cute little eyes and small body they can kill fish many times there size.