Porc Puffer Tankmates...

[SkinnyPete]

So, I'm upgrading my 110g 4 foot tank to a 6 foot tank. I've had the 110 for a couple years and I've done a mix of things with it. I've always been into the fish more than corals and I've always been a fan of aggressive tanks. I'm thinking if I go with a 125 or a 180 that I might go the aggressive tank route, especially since my very understanding wife, who doesn't blink at the money I spend on this addictive hobby, really loves the porcupine puffers. If I've got a ton of rock, I've got an established fuge, large skimmer, a 50 gallon sump so I'd have about 230g of water capacity.

And I know that, as always, it can kind of go fish by fish. I realize, as a rule, the porc will pick off my inverts, but fish-wise what am I looking at for tankmates? Is it basically stay away from anything small? Like could I go with some Heni's? Tangs? Wrasses? Triggers? Do I just go with the old "if it can fit in it's mouth" rule?

Thanks. I'm just trying to get an idea of what my livestock will be before I make a final decision on tank size.

 

[Hara]

They are not super aggressive towards other fish...at least not in my experience.

What happened with the seahorses?

 

[pinkie]

I would definitely recommend the 180 gallon if you have to choose between those two sizes, but of course the bigger the better if your budget and space will allow for a tank that size. I have a 6" Spiny Box Puffer which is relatively similar to the Porcupine but is considerably smaller. He's in a 210 gallon and he's actually surprisingly active, spends most of his time swimming back and forth across the tank and to be honest it seems like he needs a bigger tank than even a 210.

As far as tankmates, there are a lot of semi-aggressive fish you can keep them with. They do well with other puffers, large wrasses, large angels, eels, tangs, passive types of triggers, etc.

 

[SkinnyPete]

They are not super aggressive towards other fish...at least not in my experience.

What happened with the seahorses?

Still have them. Love them, but I have to move the tank to the basement due to a kitchen renovation (long story) and since I have the room down there after finishing the basement, I might as well get a 6 foot tank. And a 6 foot tank is way too big for a pair of seahorses (as if a 110 is not). I'm moving my seahorses to either a 55 or a 30 that I have, along with a mandarin that is eating frozen mysis.

So, it's a win win. It'll be much easier to care for the horses in a smaller system as far as feeding, clean-up, etc. And I can finally have a basement sump and a 6 foot tank.

I think I read somewhere a while ago that porcs like to nip at long trailing fins, such as the ones on henis. Anyone have input on that specifically? Would love to get a school of henis.

 

[melosu58]

If it`s not going to have corals then the angels would be good as well as a couple tangs. IMO

 

[SkinnyPete]

Quick follow-up on this. Upon actually measuring the space where the tank is going - we can't fit a 180. But, a 125 should be big enough for a puffer for a while right? Want to make sure before I start the search for a 125...thanks.