is this normal puffer behavior?

isu_guy · Aug 6, 2005

One of my two new GSPs looked as if his tail muscles wouldn't uncontract and sunk to the bottom of the tank. I thought there was a problem because it wasn't a graceful fall, he was bumping into plant leaves on the way down. His fins were still moving and he then stayed curled in the ball on the sand for about a minute or two before his tail uncoiled and started swimming around.

is this normal behavior for a GSP or is something wrong?

blackfinshark_3 · Aug 6, 2005

i dont have any gsp's, but when a puffer is bumping into stuff unintentially i think there might be sumting up. :dunno:

SirMinion · Aug 6, 2005

Curling is classic stress behaviour and sinking (playing dead) in predator avoidance behaviour. Something had happened to make your puffer think he was under attack.

If he then started acting normally and seems happy now, don't worry too much about it. Just keep an eye on him and make sure the water stays clean and at the right salinity to keep him happy.

Kajuki18 · Aug 6, 2005

GSP are brackish so if you have them in freshwater that may be a problem

isu_guy · Aug 7, 2005

The lfs had them in freshwater, I am planning on every water change for the next few weeks to increase the salt content until I reach an acceptable BW level.

He only did it for a minute or two and then was normal. My guess is that the other was nipping at him. For the most part they seem to get along together well except for feeding time.... if one has food that the other wants is every puffer for themself.

heres hoping all is well.