Dog Faced Puffer Compatibility

[lisac]

I have a 100g tank with a black/white spotted dog faced puffer, about 100 lbs of rock and 2 hermit crabs. I have had him for about 4 years. He is about 7-8 inches long. Here's my question. Should I add any other fish to the tank, and if so, what? He is my favorite fish and the reason I set up the tank. Is he happy by himself? Or would he be happier with company. He is VERY friendly with our family. I'm not a big fan of triggers. I also have 5 kids. So, I don't want anything that will be high maintainence. I also don't want anything that tends to be sickly. He tends to ahve brown algae in the tank. Suggestions for cleaning crews? Sometimes he eats the hermits, sometimes not.
Thanks

 

[srfisher17]

Any fish that has had a tank to himself for a long time will probably be somewhat aggressive twoard any newcomer. But you have room and there are plenty of suitable tank mates. One site says that a dogface will get along with other puffers; if they aren't too aggressive. I'm trying to read between the lines here; and I'm guessing that you really don't want another fish--just concerned about your fish being " This happy". This could start a vigorous debate--but I'm in the group that thinks that as long as a fish is healthy, not stressed, and well fed; that is as "happy" as he's going to get.(The ability to reproduce should maybe be included). The rest of the stuff fish do; such as recognizing their owner, is just learned behavior. If YOU want a new fish,get it. If you don't; I doubt that your puffer could care less.

 

[vanos]

Absolutely yes, get another fish. IMO, just having one fish would be kind of boring. Get a medium sized clown trigger.

 

[dawman]

Originally Posted by Vanos
Absolutely yes, get another fish. IMO, just having one fish would be kind of boring. Get a medium sized clown trigger.

He is not a fan of triggers as he mentioned in his post .

 

[sietedos]

How about a snowflake eel? They'd likely get along fine.

 

[lisac]

Thanks for the replies. Are the eels hard to take care of? I've never had one. How do I know if he is happier by himself or with a buddy. Any ideas on keeping the tank cleaner of the brown algae?

 

[surfinusa]

A snowflake eel is bullet proof, they're really cool and active too. About the puffer though there really is no happy or sad for the fish so he could live his whole life alone and be fine, but its cool to have tank mates other than one fish.