Any SAP Puffer Experts? Thinking of a new build!

[TomStav]

Hi Guys,

I have a 55g sitting empty and I'm contemplating setting up a puffer tank. I had a porcupine puffer a few years ago in a larger marine setup and it was one of my favourite fish I've owned.

I'd like it to be purely freshwater and I'm leaning towards an Amazon / South American Puffer.

I was wondering how many SAP I could comfortably fit in a 55g? I am thinking around 6.

Although they do well with a sand substrate - I'd like to set this tank up with a bare-bottom so that I can minimise any decaying food in the substate. They seem so active (unlike many other puffers) that from what I have read the sand substrate is not essential to keep them happy.

I have a sump setup with a small refugium that I intend to use for breeding self-cloning crayfish and occasionally feed some of the offspring to the puffs.

I'm going to be scouring the local beaches for a nice large pice of driftwood that I am thinking of covering in anubias and javamoss.

I'd really like to add a few catfish to the tank but I'm not sure which ones to go for - a group of 3 or so that are active but do not have very long whiskers or fins that may temp the puffers to nip. I would love something similar to the Cuckoo Catfish only I'd really like them to be found in the Amazon river so that the tank is more of a Amazonian biotope.

Anyone have any good suggestions for a schooling group of Amazonian cats that grow no larger than 6 inches?

I appreciate any advice you have to offer!

Tom

 

[Nils]

I don't know a lot about SAP puffs other than they are a bit more peaceful than other puffers and are full freshwater. For catfish, there are pictus cats that do get to 5"+ and look awesome IMO. Looking forward to watching this build, sounds awesome!

 

[TomStav]

I don't know a lot about SAP puffs other than they are a bit more peaceful than other puffers and are full freshwater. For catfish, there are pictus cats that do get to 5"+ and look awesome IMO. Looking forward to watching this build, sounds awesome!

Thanks for the suggestion, I do like the Pictus, would 3 be suitable in a 55g if I provided enough open swimming room? I think they would be great at cleaning up after the puffers.

I'm thinking 5 SAP puffers, 3 Pictus cats and maybe a single pleco of some sorts just as a window cleaner.


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[Nils]

Yeah, 3-4 pictus cats are doable. Plecos, most just have a huge bioload and poop 10x more than they would ever clean. You could have 1-2 bristle nose but they don't clean a lot and just are basically poop factories.

 

[superpeytonm]

Definitely do Pictus cats. They're so fun to watch as they're really active. But make sure you have a tight-fitting lid because I lost mine when he jumped out.