Accidentally took fahaka out of water whkle cleaning tank

[Yayo32]

I was taking out his uneaten food. I noticed he was on the other side of the tank, but when I went to go clean the net I saw this little ball on the sink, luckily he was on the side of the sink and not down the drain. I struggled to pick him, I panicked but got him back into his tank. Problem is when I set him free from the net, he wasn't swimming normal. He was swimming with his head facing the surface. And darted down quick without using his tail, I tried burping him but he kept trying to bite and I dont want to squeeze him will he be ok?

 

[tlindsey]

I was taking out his uneaten food. I noticed he was on the other side of the tank, but when I went to go clean the net I saw this little ball on the sink, luckily he was on the side of the sink and not down the drain. I struggled to pick him, I panicked but got him back into his tank. Problem is when I set him free from the net, he wasn't swimming normal. He was swimming with his head facing the surface. And darted down quick without using his tail, I tried burping him but he kept trying to bite and I dont want to squeeze him will he be ok?

Don't squeeze the Fahaka the filling itself up with air is a defense method to make it look bigger for predators. Allow it to deflate itself on it's own.

 

[sikoko]

Man that better be someone's signature "don't squeeze the fahaka!"

 

[Yayo32]

 

[Yayo32]

 

[Yayo32]

This literally how he's swimming not using his tail it's just faced up

 

[Yayo32]

Don't squeeze the Fahaka the filling itself up with air is a defense method to make it look bigger for predators. Allow it to deflate itself on it's own.

I hope so it's been like this 4+ hours now

 

[tigerbob]

From the picture it actually looks like being facing down.

 

[BIG-G]

This literally how he's swimming not using his tail it's just faced up

It’s normal for a puffer to use its pectoral fins more so than their caudal.
I would just keep the water quality up and observe for now.

 

[Fat Homer]

I also just want to add that he looks quite emancipated?

Have you de-wormed your puffer at all since acquiring him or is he still quite new in the tank and just hasnt started eating properly yet?