Puffer Questions!

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PufferLover1

Aquarium Advice Newbie
Joined
Dec 3, 2021
Messages
6
Hello~ I’m new to this forum. I have been reluctant to post, as I didn’t really have an exact question, and to be honest I was afraid anything I said would be shot down by advanced aquarium owners. But I have decided to give it a shot.

I am getting a 12 gallon tank and fell in love with puffer fish. I first saw pea puffers, and I think they are cute and the first thing people are going to say. But now I think figure 8 puffers are amazing. I know they are supposed to have 15G but I decided to write this post in hypothetical. Could I keep just one? I could heavily plant it OR leave it open for more swimming space. I could also do any amount of water changes nessisary. But yes, I know they need more space. But could they live like this for a year? If they can, I can upgrade them to a 29G next year.

Thanks for answers,
1:fish2:
 
Technically you can keep any fish you want in any sized tank. As long the water parameters are in check they will survive. Thriving is a better situation though. Swapping tanks is also a pain.
 
ok. I will restate what I mean then.
Could they be happy in a 10 gallon tank? Just one? If not I will go back to pea puffers. But I think it’s implied I want a fish to be happy, and if not I hope it’s implied now.

Thanks for response,
 
Since a lot of the suggested tank sizes are subjective, it’s more or less what you think is going to be ok.

A lot of people keep fish in smaller than suggested tanks and the fish do just fine.

It’s like asking someone if they’ll die if they live in a 800 square foot house vs a 30,000sqft mansion. Yea you’ll survive in the smaller house, but the mansion would be nice and you’ll probably be a lot happier lol
 
IMO a 12g would be ok, they do best by themselves anyway so it should be ok. You know they’re a brackish species though right?
 
Hi.
I do understand, and I get it. I just thought I'd ask. And want it to be clear that I do want the fish to be happy and will get them a new home next year.

Yes, I do know they're brackish. How much aquarium salt should I do? Most people say 1-2 TBS per gallon, but the salt company themselves says that amount for three gallons. ??

Thanks!,
 
I don’t know how much, but you’ll want to use a sw salt mix not aquarium salt. For me it takes 2 cups per 5G to reach a salinity of 1.025 so for .008-.010 probably 1/2 cup or so per 5G. Just get a refractometer to accurately measure the salinity.
 
Ok— I will buy one. thank you. Are there recommend brands of salt? Thanks
Thank you for response!
 
I use Red Sea currently, but since your not going to be worried about the levels of the trace elements like in a reef tank I would just go with what you can get locally or cheapest. Instant ocean is still sold at petsmart I believe and is usually on the cheaper end.
 
Ok! I saw instant ocean, so I think that's what I'm going to go with. Thanks! And for substrate do they prefer sand or coarse sand or gravel?

Thank You!
 
Ok, thank you. I like sand but am slightly discouraged by it because of fear of clouding.

UPDATE::: After I did more research I decided I will be buying a 20g high for F8 instead of 12g. If I end up buying a 12g I will simply get dwarfs. Thanks!
 
Do the sand. They are messy eaters and big poopers. All that will settle in. The gravel and make a problem. That small tank is going to require a lot of maintenence to keep the puff happy and healthy.
 
I had a buddy that kept a figure 8 puffer in a ten gallon and it really was not an ideal situation. They are pretty active fish and have a very heavy bioload for their size. You will need to stay on top of your maintenance to keep the water quality acceptable.
 
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