F8 Puffer Fits

[timmystood]

Hi all

I have a 17 Gallon with two figure 8 Puffer fish in at an SG of 1.006.
The problem I am having is that my Puffer's keep having 'fits' - they swim round very fast and swim into things or try and jump out of the water. Basically, they go mental for about 30 seconds.
I got told in another topic that this was because there was lack of swimming space, so i've taken out loads of decor and the tank is pretty much bare (except for a few hiding places) and yet the fits are still happening... any ideas why?



Thanks

 

[furryrabbit]

is it when 1) you turn the light on in the morning , 2) you put your face right up to the tank? my plec throws a bit of a fit when these things happen , i just put it down to nerves

 

[timmystood]

Both really! When the lights go on he goes into one and also when he sees me in the room! Obviosuly I don't know if they happen or not when i'm out of the room. The thing is sometimes he is really friendly, this is why I don't think it is nerves.

It's really distressing to watch.

 

[Erised]

How often do they see you? My figure 8 used to be like that when I'd enter the room and he figured he wasn't getting fed I spend most my time in england, so he'd only see my mum for about 3 minutes when getting fed, that was the only movement around the tank he'd see. So when I returned and needed to actually sleep in my bedroom again, he pretty much got 'scared' because of all the movement going on around him. It took only 3 days for him to get used to it and stop it all together though.

I think that the taking out ornaments might only make things worse, giving him less places to hide from things. Personally I'd recommend upgrading your tank to around a 30G and see if that makes any difference. They might just need time to get used to the enviroment, as well as get used to staying out of eachothers way a bit

 

[AMS]

Hi all

I have a 17 Gallon with two figure 8 Puffer fish in at an SG of 1.006.
The problem I am having is that my Puffer's keep having 'fits' - they swim round very fast and swim into things or try and jump out of the water. Basically, they go mental for about 30 seconds.
I got told in another topic that this was because there was lack of swimming space, so i've taken out loads of decor and the tank is pretty much bare (except for a few hiding places) and yet the fits are still happening... any ideas why?
confused.gif


Thanks good.gif

Hi Timmy,

I believe I was the one who suggested it may be lack of swimming space. This is common in smaller tanks, ten gallons perhaps, but may not be in issue in a 17 gallon tank.

Both really! When the lights go on he goes into one and also when he sees me in the room! Obviosuly I don't know if they happen or not when i'm out of the room. The thing is sometimes he is really friendly, this is why I don't think it is nerves. confused.gif

It's really distressing to watch.

I believe it is normal for the puffer to become startled by a light suddenly turning on, or someone walking in the room. My own figure 8 becomes frantic for a few seconds when I walk in. You could try a DIY dimmer for the light (PM me if you want the link) and see if that helps.

 

[timmystood]

The problem is, I have no space or money to upgrade the tank

 

[timmystood]

One of them died yesterday for no reason (not the one having fits). He'd been in the tank 4 months and everything was fine before that

So now, i'm left with just one F8 Puffer who is constantly trying to kill himself

F8 Number 1

 

[AMS]

Sorry for your loss Timmy. Do you know what could have caused it?

 

[timmystood]

No idea

Now i'm left with the one who is constantly fitting and will probably end up killing himself