fahaka puffer

[deathfromabove]

hey my LFS has a baby Fahaka puffer or nile puffer it says mbu puffer but mbu puffers have circles on them, this one has stripes and looks exactly like a fahaka anyway, i immediately wanted him as soon as we locked eyes haha, and they said it would be fine in a 29 gallon tank for a few years and eventually at full grown **** be about 10 inches and will need a 55 gal tank is this correct cuz that seems too small for a puffer of that size also hes about 5 inches if thats the size of a baby wouldnt he get bigger than 10 inches?

 

[reaperpilot2014]

Fahaka Puffers get quite large.

Even though it has been awhile, I hope your fahaka friend is doing well. I have my fahaka in a 125 gallon, and sometimes I think even that is too small for him. Mine is currently 12", but they are supposed to be able to grow close to 1 1/2 feet. As long as he has enough room to turn around, to burrow under the sand if he wants, and heavy filtration to take care of ammonia/nitrates, etc., I think 75 gallons would be an absolute minimum.

 

[Termitehunter]

I have mine in a 90 right now. I got him when he was 1.5 inches. He is growing at a rate of approximately 3/4" a month right now and is about 4 inches. He will be going into a 150 when the time is right.
Fahaka grow at the rate of 1/2" to 1" if fed properly until about 10" to 11" then slow down. Maxing out at 18" for a male. He will bust out of the 29 in no time.

If they don't have the room to turn around efficiently they develop a spinal problem that bends there tails over time and causes them to not swim properly. They use there tails as a rudder and not a propellor. I have seen one like this and It's sad. He was making a consistent "left turn" trying to swim across the tank forcing him to compensate and he looked very slow and wobbly while swimming.