gavin423

Okay so six days ago, I brought home a dwarf puffer for my 10 gallon tank. The tank is cycled, it has 0 ammonia and nitrites and low nitrates. I don't have a pH test. It is the only fish in the tank but there are LOTS of snails in there as about two came home with my plants when I started cycling and they've multiplied like crazy. I have yet to see DP even attempt to eat a snail and has not touched a single blood worm.
Well yesterday, he started laying on the floor in a corner - that seemed to be his favorite spot but yesterday he just stayed there most of the day. His tail was not curled (I read that could show illness or stress). Then last night when I went to shut off the light, I couldn't find him. So I figured okay, he'll turn up. But today, I came down and still no sign of him anywhere. I've been watching all morning and he's not turning up. There are only two silk plants which I did move around the leaves to check for him - not there. I have a java fern (live) and some other live plant - can't see him there. I have a huge thing of java moss attached to a rock but as far as i can see, he's not there either. There are no other ornaments that he could hide in. He's too small to get up the filter and there is no way for him to get out of the tank (though I did a thorough check around the tank and he most definitely is not there).
Where on earth did he go? I have gravel - it's very tiny pieces, not the average size. Could he have gone down under the gravel? If that's a possibility should i avoid vaccumming? Could he have died of starvation from not eating in six days? If so, do you think that in a matter of hours the snails could have (or even would have) eaten him - cause I can't find any trace of him.
Any help would be so appreciated. I am so lost.
THanks in advance,
Tiffany

pinkfloydpuffer

If you just got him, there's no telling when the last time was he ate. Plus shipping and moving is very stressful for them.
No, I don't think the snails could have eaten him in such a short time...
Try removing all the decor/plants. Check every crevase carefully for the little guy. Check and double check everywhere around the tank. Especially if you have a dog or cat... They can get out of surprisingly small holes. Sift through the gravel carefully with your fingers. What kind of filter do you have? You could check up inside of it. I've had fish get inside my filters before.
I hope you find your buddy.

gavin423

Ok, I will go through the tank like you said but I was wondering, will that damage my plants? I mean, obviously, the fish is more important than the plants but I'm curious. My two live plants have their roots really well 'rooted' into the gravel, will moving them destroy their roots and kill the plants? My filter is just a aquatech - came with the tank (from walmart) it was enough to hold us until we could upgrade. THe holes seemed to small to get through the filter but I did check inside and he's not there. I haven't vacuumed since I lost him so I know I didn't suck him up. I just don't know. But thanks for the advice. By the way, I LOVE!!!! your puffers! You are the reason I got my puffer, lol. I saw your pics and was just in love! Lol!

pinkfloydpuffer

Hmm... the java fern will definitely be fine. I think your other ones will be too if you just do it carefully. Check that java moss well, it could hide a little teensy puffer easily. I hope you find him

Aw, thanks. I love them too. They are adorable little things.

gavin423

Well I finally found him - he was so darn small to begin with he was constantly a challenge to find. He died though. I guess he wasn't eating and starved. But I went ahead and gave one last shot with the remaining puffers that I ordered (3) and brought them home. It must have been him and not my tank cause the three little pigs I brought home are active, fairly friendly, and are total pigs! They've wiped out more than half of my snails and went to town on some blood worms within an hour of being home. Lol. Thanks for you help!

pinkfloydpuffer

Aw poor thing Where was he hiding?

I'm glad your new guys are eating, that's great!

MeGustaUnaPez926

Isn't a ten gallon a little small for 3 puffers, especially with only a few plants? Unless I'm misreading about the size of you plants. For that many puff's, I would think you needed a super heavily planted tank to stop aggression.

pinkfloydpuffer

Yes, dwarf puffers in particular are rather territorial. It might work... but then it might not. The more you break up the line of sight the better.