puffer tank

[loganj]

Kymme and I are going to set up a tank for a brackish puffer. I have done quite a bit of research on these fish and have found more conflicting info than I ever have on either fresh or saltwater fish. If anyone has experience with these fish, I have a couple of questions... Are the figure 8 puffers extremely bad tempered? Are there any compatible tankmates for them. Thought about a mono or a scat. Then I read that the mono is only brackish as a juvenile. ??? Should the SG be about 1.005? Should we use the same salt I use for the SW tank or the plain aquarium salt? Should the tank be planted? Can you have LR in a brackish tank? Sorry for all the newbie style questions, but there don't seem to be many resources for info on these fish.
Logan J

 

[targaboy78]

Hi Logan,

You are in the same place I was at about 5 weeks ago. Performing all the due diligence but finding lots of conflicting information.

We decided not to go brackish, after all. We decided instead of the Figure Eight Puffer, we wanted the Indian Dwarf Puffer is also known as the Bumblebee, Malabar, or Pygmy Puffer. The Figure Eight grows to about 2 or 3 inches but the Indian Dwarf Puffer only grows to 1 inch. The small size didn't matter to us but it being 100% freshwater fish was a big plus.

Ideal tank mates for the Indian Dwarf Puffer include: Puffers, Barbs, Gouramis, Dwarf Cichlids, Sharks, Rainbowfish, Loaches, Plecos, and other scavenger Catfish.

IMHO, Figure eights will do well in the same scenario as the Indian Dwarfs.
Make sure their tank mates are slightly larger, and faster. (Although I have heard of people successfully keeping figure eights with Bumble Bee Gobies which are smaller).
Puffers are fin nippers so avoid fish with large 'tasty' fins.
Obviously the tanks makes should be a brackish species.
Puffer males are very territorial and only one per aquarium is suggested unless it is a large system. (One Male with 2 or 3 females seems to work well).

I hope this helps, good luck with it.

 

[Anemoneman]

A guy named Elliot has a decade of puffer experience. He has the only mated pair of porcupine puffers in captivity that I know of. He has a plethora of practicle experience on puffer keeping (both salt and brackish) and their compatibility with other fish. Visit him at www.pufferlovers.com and tell him I sent you. You will get a prompt, friendly reply or your money back. He is a nice guy that really wants to help.

Mark

 

[loganj]

thanks

Thanks...I knew I could depend on you guys to help out .
Logan J