MBU on Bottom?

[Jobu28]

Hey guys, how much swimming do your mbu puffers do? I have had one for a few months. He has more than doubled in size since i have him. But he basically just sits on the bottom? Eats every night and seems fine, but doesn't move around much?

 

[Fat Homer]

How big is the fish in question, and how big is his tank?

Is it decorated at all or just a empty tank with water??? Need more info to give you a possible reason...

 

[Jobu28]

He is about 9" or so. Was probably about 3.5-4 when I got him. He was in a 180 with branches hung from the top with a bunch of other fish including stingrays. Had to move him to 150 with the same set up when a ray was chewing on him as he's always on the bottom. Ate 5 minutes after I moved him so not thinking hes all that stressed . Both tanks are bare bottom.

 

[jobspopo]

In my own experience and hearing from others bare bottoms aren't the best for MBus as they chase their own reflections in the glass thinking it's another puffer. Perhaps some substrate?

Other than that Mbus do sit at the bottom quite often and just chill. If he's eating (key sign for their good health), I wouldn't worry too much

 

[Jobu28]

Thanks hes eating and acting fine. So just normal i guess. Thanks for the reply

 

[Samaka]

From my experience with them over the years, I can say that they are quite active if housed in larger and especially taller tanks - 36-48" tall. I think smaller mbus are quite active with perky fins and tails, not only because they're juveniles, but also cause they have lots of vertical swimming room compared to their size. I've also noticed they are active if kept alone or with just a few and smaller fish, when they aren't stressed by them - they're big and tough looking but are very sensitive around tankmates. Kept in long but short tanks, they can get listless and sit on the bottom like fahakas, and get weak and droopy fins and bodies - I don't think an adult should look like that, it's more related to activity level, IMO.

Also make sure to have plenty of water current and aeration, cause they need lots of oxygen to be active and to support their big mass. Hope this helps.

 

[Jobu28]

Thanks for the info. I think it was the tankmates. Moved to a tank with less fish and did better. Unfortunately just had to move back. Hopefully soon can move back to his more comfortable tank lol

 

[Samaka]

You're welcome.

 

[Bichir Chic]

My mbu is always on bottom also. So how did you get yours to move again? Mine is in a 125 long with some other fish that mainly hide. He is very docile. He eats 2x a day sometimes but not a lot at once. A couple of live small snails in am and at night 1/2 shell clams about 3 to 4. He seems happy but like I said just hangs out in the corner. I have 2 medium clown loaches that hide except at night and 3 small tetras and 3 tiny green cories plus a morymid dolphin fish that always hides - I have a lot of hiding spaces for those fish. They are out at night when mbu is sleeping. I have well water which may upset them but all my fish have to deal with this. He is always happy to see me he does move a little when he sees me and when he eats but other than that he is a couch potato. Nothing like what I see other mbus on youtube. Thanks for any replies.

 

[PYRU]

Depending on size of mbu it could be the size of your tank. Puffers need a lot more room than you would think.

Honestly I think it's the tankmates. They really remind me of a giant freshwater dog face puffer with their demeanor.

All this assumes your parameters are top notch.