Hi everyone. I just want to let you know my thoughts on puffers puffing. I realize that puffing might cause the fish alittle stress but I think it is blown way out of proportion. A puffer puffing is nature's way of giving it some defense. That is why they are called puffers. It is natures way of keeping the puffer alive. If it so dangerous and stressful for the fish to puff, there would be alot of dead puffers in the water especially if it is attacked by a predator which gives it more stress. Also, in the wild, when a puffer puffs, its natural habitat is not as stable as in your fish tank so puffers in home aquariums have a better advantage. For example, when a porcupine is attacked, it usually runs backwards towards it's enemy to attack it with its quills. The quills are actually attatched to its body but it still lives even though the quills are attatched to its skin when they are pulled out. To make a long story short, a puffer fish is made to puff when attacked or harrassed otherwise they would be called 1 puff puffers. Hope I didn't offend anyone, The Doctor
Puffers Puffing
- Thread starter Dr_Shakalu
- Start date
So what is the point of your thread, that its ok to torment a puffer to the point he feels threatened enough to puff up?
Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com
Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com
erk419;5057973; said:
I believe he is arguing (not sure with who) since puffing is a natural response then it does not cause the fish stress. Not sure that is sound logic but it is one man's opinion
No offense to either of you, but it seemed to me that all he was trying to say is that puffing is natural for a puffer and that many fishkeepers blow it way out of proportion. I can't comment on that opinion, because I haven't kept any puffers, but I don't think he's trying to say that it's okay to stress them out or that it doesn't cause them any stress, just that fishkeepers need to realize that it's natural and to not overreact about it.
Oh ok I see your guys points. To the other person I didn't mean anything by my response I just couldn't figure out your reasoning behind posting this you kinda started in the middle and didn't really state the reason behind it and to me it sounded like you were making it out to be ok to provoke them to do this. I agree with you that it is something natural and people shouldnt freak out if it happens. However when they do puff up there doing it for a reason and every reason will be a stressful moment for them. But I do agree its a defense mechanism which is natural but I don't think its something that should be provoked my a human.
Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com
Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com
That's exactly what I'm trying to say. I mean if puffing up to avoid danger stressing them enough to hurt them, why did nature give them the the ability to puff when puffing makes them too stress to live. And to Erk419, where in my post did I say it was okay to provoke them into puffing. Read my post carefully and slowly again and you will see that I said that nature intended them to puff when there is danger. And how did I start in the middle of my post. All I'm saying is that puffers are called puffers because they puff up in a situation that is detrimental to their lives and that puffing up does cause stress but it is a natural way of defense and that if puffing up causes any harm, then they should be called "One Time Puffers". The Doctor
Delhezi222;5058176; said:
The human brain does all kinds of cool stuff as a defense mechanism when it feels threatened. The human brain will do all sorts of cool stuff given the right conditions such as lower your bodies blood pressure and even completely shut down organs to keep you alive.
Just because it's a natural defense mechanism and can save the animal's life doesn't mean that there is no damage done to the creature.
Just because it's a natural defense mechanism and can save the animal's life doesn't mean that there is no damage done to the creature.
Okay, so how many people on this site or honestly know of someone who has seen a wild or aquarium puffer die from puffing. Please be honest. I have known plenty of people that have had puffers and one of my best friends is a marine biologist and they have never seen a puffer die because of puffing. The only answer that I can honestly say that a creature will die because it has to defend itself is the honey bee. When a puffer is taken out of the tank for a buyer and puffs, does that mean that it is a damaged creature and you are already behind the eight ball when you purchase a puffer? Be honest about your answers, The Doctor
Etan;5058418; said:
^ The only puffer i've ever owned that i think died in part due to puffing was my Congo... but the reason for that was he some how managed to gulp air in his system...
And before any one jumps on me for this, it wasn't coz i took it out of the tank to see if he would puff... in fact i have no idea how he got air in his system to being with, but he did...
As for the puffing, from what i've seen personally, i don't think its always a defensive move, since i've seen my fahaka, and both my palembangs in the past puff for no apparent reason what so ever... and when they see me approaching the tank, they immediately deflate like nothing was wrong...
So i guess in short, they may also do it as a form of stretching or exercise if you will...
And before any one jumps on me for this, it wasn't coz i took it out of the tank to see if he would puff... in fact i have no idea how he got air in his system to being with, but he did...
As for the puffing, from what i've seen personally, i don't think its always a defensive move, since i've seen my fahaka, and both my palembangs in the past puff for no apparent reason what so ever... and when they see me approaching the tank, they immediately deflate like nothing was wrong...
So i guess in short, they may also do it as a form of stretching or exercise if you will...
That's pretty funny. A puffer fish excercizing and keeping stretching it's body so it can puff up when necessary, The Doctor.
Fat Homer;5058538; said: