Are puffers difficult to keep?

[misty927]

I've heard two conflicting opinions in the case of puffers...one person told me they were hardy and relatively easy to keep...the other said they were prone to illness and somewhat difficult. What's the scoop??? I've been looking for a puffer for my 135, but I wasn't something that will be healthy!

 

[tangcrazy]

I really love puffers, and IMO I think they are easy to keep. They are not prone to disease, and once you get them to eat, they will eat anything you offer (they love krill). Although, I am against keeping puffers with lionfish, so if you have a lion, I would think twice before putting a puffer in you tank. I had a golden puffer for five months, before losing him to a dwarf lion sting, he was my favorite fish!! Bottom line, puffers are great, they have personality and love people, I say go for it!

 

[ozzfan84]

most puffers are very easy to care for. The only drawback is that they are somewhat prone to ick. Give them alot of swimming room. My pork is very active at nite. good luck!

 

[chopper320]

Misty, I think both opinions you heard were somewhat right. Puffers are pretty hardy and easy to care for. They are also very prone to ich but the good thing is, they are very good at fighting it off. Once you have your aquarium established and all fish in good health, I think they are pretty easy fish. You may notice a little bit of ich on the puffer every once in a while but they pretty much fight it off on their own unless it is a really bad case of it.
I'm no expert so make sure to get others' advice such as pufferlover. He can tell you anything you want to know about puffs.

 

[pufferlover]

I enter blushing profusely. Chopper you actually said it all and very well I might add. In my mind there is no more personable fish then the Puffers (esp the Porks). A close second would be the Triggers and Eels. If the big blue/green eyes don't get you the happy smiles at feeding time will (I swear Porks can and do smile at you).