Q&A for How to Purchase and Care for a Puffer Fish

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Question

I have a dwarf puffer fish. It looks like it's dead, but it's still breathing. Is it alive or not?

Community Answer

Try to feed it live food. It should be eating it in no time. If not, there is something wrong. Maybe a disease or poor water quality.

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Question

Why has my puffer gone a darker color and is just sitting at the bottom of the tank?

Community Answer

If it is a Green Spotted Puffer, they can control their color. If it turns darker occasionally, it's fine as long as your water parameters are correct.

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Question

My puffer is hiding in the rock when the lights are on, but when the lights are off it moves around the tank. Why?

Community Answer

Maybe he doesn't like light! Fish have sensitive eyes, depending on the species. Talk to a fish expert to be sure.

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Question

Why does my puffer try to swim but can't?

Community Answer

Puffer fish are slow swimmers because of their large body and small fins.

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Question

My puffers are very scared of me. Every time I switch the light on or off or even if I am around their tank, they try to jump out. What do I do?

Community Answer

If they jump when a light is switched on, they are probably not afraid of you, but startled by the sudden change in lighting.Try slowly increasing the room lighting by opening curtains and turning on room lights before switching on aquarium lighting.

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Question

Can we feed the puffer small pellets?

Community Answer

Pufferfish have actual teeth that, in the wild, they use to break the shells of crabs. When they open their mouth, you may see weird looking teeth, depending on the species. I think some species are bred to have no teeth. Depending on how large the pellets are, I think it may work, but they'd be slightly hard to chew due to the size, and maybe harder if they eat other foods that are soft.

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Question

Why does my puffer spin around in circles?

Community Answer

Probably because it is too excited, that's what my pufferfish always does but afterward, it settles down.

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Question

I would like to get a puffer, but I have zero saltwater fish experience. What freshwater types are there?

Community Answer

Dwarf pufferfish/pea puffers are freshwater fish.

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Question

I am thinking of getting a dwarf puffer. Can it live with tiger barbs?

Community Answer

Dwarf puffers can be nippy and territorial sometimes, so it's best not to mix them unless you want your tiger barbs injured.

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