Manila Puffer

Chugalug · 12/22/2008, 12:28 PM

I just recieved a manila puffer as an early Christmas present on Saturday--my first puffer. He is very healthy looking and nicely colored at about 4 inches. He ate immediately--a piece of shrimp meant for my snowflake, and I can tell it will become very difficult not to overfeed him.

(I didn't QT...please don't lynch me)

My question is this....

How active are these puffers supposed to be?

I was under the impression that puffers are sorta on the slow side. This guy is fast and NEVER stops moving. Day and night he is all over the tank...I don't think he ever sleeps.

myerst2 · 12/22/2008, 05:07 PM

What is a Manila puffer? Do you have the scientific name or pic? T

LisaD · 12/22/2008, 05:42 PM

Arothron manilensis, AKA lined puffer, is the one I am familiar with. Very nice fish that stays reasonable in size:

As far as activity, many puffers I have kept have used the whole tank and were very active, especially porcupine and golden puffers. only the dogface puffers I've kept were on the less active side, relatively speaking. As long as it isn't pacing the tank, activity is good. If he is in your 55, your tank may be on the edge of being on the small side. My porc puffer is about 5" not counting the tail, and he is all over my 210.

gnorts · 12/22/2008, 05:56 PM

I have immaculate puffer which looks very similiar to one that lisa posted minus the lines. He is active and is a quick eater actually takes alot of the food to fast and im having problems with him OVER eating and getting bloated. The trigger and lion fish and eel are just to slow to want to eat and he gets all the food first.

LisaD · 12/22/2008, 06:14 PM

where'd you get the immaculate puffer? I was looking for one for a while. puffers=gluttony

Chugalug · 12/22/2008, 09:59 PM

He is in the 55 for now. I have an upgrade planned for the spring. He should be fine 'till then I think. It is only him, a fuzzy dwarf lion and a small snowflake in there. It has plenty of swimming room for him. He isn't pacing--just everywhere. I just got home from work, and I see that today he has really collored up with some bright yellow on his fins and nose. I am really liking this little guy.

LisaD · 12/23/2008, 12:25 AM

they are cool fish. I agree, your tank is probably fine for a while, but once you upgrade, I bet you will find he likes a bigger tank a lot better.

Chugalug · 12/23/2008, 01:03 AM

Who wouldn't! I know I'm looking forward to it

12/22/2008, 12:28 PM	#1
Chugalug Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 70	Manila Puffer I just recieved a manila puffer as an early Christmas present on Saturday--my first puffer. He is very healthy looking and nicely colored at about 4 inches. He ate immediately--a piece of shrimp meant for my snowflake, and I can tell it will become very difficult not to overfeed him. (I didn't QT...please don't lynch me) My question is this.... How active are these puffers supposed to be? I was under the impression that puffers are sorta on the slow side. This guy is fast and NEVER stops moving. Day and night he is all over the tank...I don't think he ever sleeps.

12/22/2008, 05:07 PM	#2
myerst2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Hampton, Long Island Posts: 2,341	What is a Manila puffer? Do you have the scientific name or pic? T __________________ "Those who teach must constantly hold up the challenge to study nature, not books." -Albrecht.

12/22/2008, 05:42 PM	#3
LisaD That's not a salmon Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: central North Carolina Posts: 6,986	Arothron manilensis, AKA lined puffer, is the one I am familiar with. Very nice fish that stays reasonable in size: As far as activity, many puffers I have kept have used the whole tank and were very active, especially porcupine and golden puffers. only the dogface puffers I've kept were on the less active side, relatively speaking. As long as it isn't pacing the tank, activity is good. If he is in your 55, your tank may be on the edge of being on the small side. My porc puffer is about 5" not counting the tail, and he is all over my 210. __________________ Keeping saltwater tanks since the late '70s Current Tank Info: tankless at the moment

12/22/2008, 06:14 PM	#5
LisaD That's not a salmon Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: central North Carolina Posts: 6,986	where'd you get the immaculate puffer? I was looking for one for a while. puffers=gluttony __________________ Keeping saltwater tanks since the late '70s Current Tank Info: tankless at the moment

12/23/2008, 12:25 AM	#7
LisaD That's not a salmon Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: central North Carolina Posts: 6,986	they are cool fish. I agree, your tank is probably fine for a while, but once you upgrade, I bet you will find he likes a bigger tank a lot better. __________________ Keeping saltwater tanks since the late '70s Current Tank Info: tankless at the moment

12/22/2008, 05:56 PM	#4
gnorts Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 308	I have immaculate puffer which looks very similiar to one that lisa posted minus the lines. He is active and is a quick eater actually takes alot of the food to fast and im having problems with him OVER eating and getting bloated. The trigger and lion fish and eel are just to slow to want to eat and he gets all the food first.

12/22/2008, 09:59 PM	#6
Chugalug Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 70	He is in the 55 for now. I have an upgrade planned for the spring. He should be fine 'till then I think. It is only him, a fuzzy dwarf lion and a small snowflake in there. It has plenty of swimming room for him. He isn't pacing--just everywhere. I just got home from work, and I see that today he has really collored up with some bright yellow on his fins and nose. I am really liking this little guy.

12/23/2008, 01:03 AM	#8
Chugalug Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 70	Who wouldn't! I know I'm looking forward to it