I need help with my new mbu puffer

[Heymikki]

I had a mbu puffer shipped to me on Monday night, since he’s been here he has swam around the tank a couple times but for the most part has lied down at the bottom of the tank. He has now buried himself in sand and his mouth seemed more open than usual this morning. Is this something I should be concerned about? What should I do?

 

[tlindsey]

I had a mbu puffer shipped to me on Monday night, since he’s been here he has swam around the tank a couple times but for the most part has lied down at the bottom of the tank. He has now buried himself in sand and his mouth seemed more open than usual this morning. Is this something I should be concerned about? What should I do?

How long has the aquarium been setup?
What are your water parameters?

 

[Heymikki]

How long has the aquarium been setup?
What are your water parameters?

The tank has been setup for a little over 2 years. Ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrates 20 ph 7.5 water temp 80.2F. He was shipped to me on a plane and I used the drip method with an air stone in to acclimate him.

 

[phreeflow]

Hard to tell without pics but Mbu sometimes lay on the substrate. That’s not too unusual. Perhaps he’s still acclimating but keep monitoring.

For now, do a water change and keep water pristine

 

[Heymikki]

The tank has been setup for a little over 2 years. Ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrates 20 ph 7.5 water temp 80.2F. He was shipped to me on a plane and I used the drip method with an air stone in to acclimate him.

thank you I will. The only recent changes I’ve made to the tank are that I added an additional fx6 in anticipation of getting the puffer (I heard they were messy lol) and my local aquarium store stopped carrying prime so I’ve now been using fritz complete water conditioner

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

NO3 is on the high side, it shouldn't be any higher than 5 ppm ideally.
Puffers are fairly sensitive so this may be at least partly the cause.

 

[Deadeye]

Definitely get pics.
Puffers are sensitive to a lot, so there is a lot that could cause it.
Has he eaten at all? Abnormally thin?

 

[Joshuakahan]

I had a mbu puffer shipped to me on Monday night, since he’s been here he has swam around the tank a couple times but for the most part has lied down at the bottom of the tank. He has now buried himself in sand and his mouth seemed more open than usual this morning. Is this something I should be concerned about? What should I do?

What size is the mbu? I had a Fahaka that did that when it was tiny and once it hit around 4”, it really became active

 

[Heymikki]

Definitely get pics.
Puffers are sensitive to a lot, so there is a lot that could cause it.
Has he eaten at all? Abnormally thin?

He’s been eating regularly, eating 1-2 crayfish a day and also I got him to eat one prawn. He seems much more active now I think he’s just settling in.

 

[Heymikki]

What size is the mbu? I had a Fahaka that did that when it was tiny and once it hit around 4”, it really became active

He’s 9”