Random Puffing?!?!

[Kolossus]

So on my way out of the door this morning, I take a glance at one of my tanks and I see my fahaka the size of a grapefruit! My wife really freaked out as she thought it was gonna explode. It definitely caught me off guard and by the time I thought about getting a camera and taking a pick, he was deflating. I have had puffers on and off for 10 years and have never seen one puff up in person (even when I was younger and dumb and attempted to provoke a fish to puffing!). There is no threats in the tank with him so I have no clue why he puffed up. It was really cool but quite alarming at the same time. Has anyone else experienced this? Isn't puffing a stress reaction that isn't good for the fish? He is definitely ok as I fed him when I got home and he eagerly accepted the food. Puffer experts please advise.

Thanks!

 

[Mr. Grumpy Gills]

something might have startled him. my fish freak out for sometimes no apparent reason.

 

[Camshaft Ramrod]

Is the tank in the same room as the tv? Do you keep it loud?

Is there a mirror by the tank?

Whats the sound of one hand clapping?

 

[Kolossus]

Is the tank in the same room as the tv? Do you keep it loud?

Is there a mirror by the tank?

Whats the sound of one hand clapping?

No tv, no mirror, and no weird noises to my knowledge.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Puffers have been known to puff for no reason but I'd think you would have noticed this before today. He could have been startled by anything.

that's some dog you have there, very impressive!

 

[Noddy]

10 years of waiting and we don't even get a picture!lol
Sometimes you just don't know what spooks the fish.
Yesterday I was feeding and for no apparent reason all my fish spooked and bashed through the tank.
I got spooked myself and feeding time was over....

 

[Austin]

10 years of waiting and we don't even get a picture!lol
Sometimes you just don't know what spooks the fish.
Yesterday I was feeding and for no apparent reason all my fish spooked and bashed through the tank.
I got spooked myself and feeding time was over....

through it? like through the glass? that would put a damper on feeding time.

 

[Fat Homer]

I've caught one of my puffers semi puffed up on two separate occasions... so definitely not un-heard of... although i do sometimes wonder if they do it as practice or for fun...

 

[Kolossus]

Puffers have been known to puff for no reason but I'd think you would have noticed this before today. He could have been startled by anything.

that's some dog you have there, very impressive!

Thanks! She is a daddy's girl for sure

10 years of waiting and we don't even get a picture!lol
Sometimes you just don't know what spooks the fish.
Yesterday I was feeding and for no apparent reason all my fish spooked and bashed through the tank.
I got spooked myself and feeding time was over....

I know right?!? But regarding you getting spooked too when your fish got spooked...Don't you hate when that happens? I feel like a little punk when it happens to me sometimes

I've caught one of my puffers semi puffed up on two separate occasions... so definitely not un-heard of... although i do sometimes wonder if they do it as practice or for fun...

I was thinking that too...maybe it was a biological adjustment or something...

 

[Tuscuttar]

Could it be the Dog (may i ask for the name of her?) have startled your puffer?