Bored puffer. Advise?

[delpni]

So I have a dog-face puffer who has a system to himself. He is happy and eats like a pig! He watches me intently whenever I'm in the room and LOVES when I pet him...he actually curls up in my hand and lets me scratch his stomach. When I don't have time to interact with him though, he seems incredibly bored and it is my understanding that these fish can bore easily. He has plenty of rock and hiding places and to keep him occupied, I try to move the rocks around every few weeks and hide his food from time to time so he has to 'hunt' for it. Does anyone know of any puffer 'toys'? lol Sounds silly, but he acts like a lonely puppy sometimes! Thank you!

 

[shrimpy brains]

Hmmm.....well I don't know about puffer toys, but many octopus keepers have had success with various baby toys.
(Plastic blocks, plastic keys, etc.). You may try some sort of ball.
Sounds very cool. Definitely let us know if you come up with anything that works.

 

[delpni]

Shrimpy Brains;619142 wrote: Hmmm.....well I don't know about puffer toys, but many octopus keepers have had success with various baby toys.
(Plastic blocks, plastic keys, etc.). You may try some sort of ball.
Sounds very cool. Definitely let us know if you come up with anything that works.

I've thought about a rubber ball, etc. I'm just afraid of leeching some sort of chemical into my tank. My puffer had a rough month and has finally recovered; don't want him to get sick again. I'll definitely keep you posted though.

 

[rbredding]

get him a wii.... those things are addictive!!

 

[gnashty]

toss in some shells to nibble on/play with...maybe a smaller faster fish he can chase around but cant catch? that may keep him busy..lol

 

[hhughes]

My oscars would play with ping-pong balls. Plastic plants were also a constant source of amusement, but mostly because they were fun to drag around and tear up.

 

[dawgface]

Do you have powerheads in the tank? My procupine seems very content to fight/surf the current of my 2 powerheads. As well as the earlier suggestion of hermits. Just make sure they are big enough so he can't crack the shells.

 

[dave green]

+1 on throwing in a ball (no real reason for it, except that it would be fun to see a puffer play with a ball)

 

[atlweb]

Website Dave;619557 wrote: +1 on throwing in a ball (no real reason for it, except that it would be fun to see a puffer play with a ball)

+1. Youtube please.

 

[jef4y]

anomaly;619837 wrote: He's just play Wii Sports for a few days then it'd sit on his shelf for the next year.

Or wind up with a Fin injury (tennis fin) like the rest of the unfit country. :lol2:

 

[delpni]

Rbredding;619188 wrote: get him a wii.... those things are addictive!!

:lol2:

Lol...comedians, eh? :yes: I think the ping pong ball sounds great! If he plays with it, I'll Youtube it! On a similar note; if I add a fish for a companion (not a toy), what do you all suggest? I was thinking of a Maroon Clown or maybe some sort of Angel? I'm not set on any particular fish, so I'm open to ideas.
Thank you all for the entertaining advice.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

delpni;620022 wrote: :lol2:

Lol...comedians, eh? :yes: I think the ping pong ball sounds great! If he plays with it, I'll Youtube it! On a similar note; if I add a fish for a companion (not a toy), what do you all suggest? I was thinking of a Maroon Clown or maybe some sort of Angel? I'm not set on any particular fish, so I'm open to ideas.
Thank you all for the entertaining advice.

I don't think you're thinking this the right way. Trying to create companionship in animals that have never done so is not going to work.

If you're genuinely concerned, figure out ways to mentally stimulate your fish with it's normal behavior. It's called enrichment. Different foods, "puzzle feeders", varying aquascape, etc. For most octopus exhibits in aquariums, they'll do this exact thing, often having feeding containers puzzles.

Just try not to anthropomorphize the fish. Creating "friends" or putting toys in there won't likely be fun for anyone but you.

JMHO

 

[sarahh]

i have tried ( with my array of fusspots) the floating little log things they make for bettas, ping pong balls, little leaf suction cup things (made for bettas) that sit a plastic leaf a few inches below water level, and little pieces of filed smooth pvc.

i wish you luck with a bored fish.. sometimes they can be quite depressing to look at