Giant Puffer with 1000 gal tank

justforfun

Member
He is about 5 to 6 years old. Been in a tank since being a baby, but can still get bigger.
There is no way he would even fit in my friends 500. He is over 20in long. Some of my friends fish will out grow his tank for sure. His yellow belly dogface is only half grown and he is huge in his tank.
 

ams153

Active Member
Originally Posted by AW2
I feel sorry for that Porc...it's gonna be a short life, in a 125gal.
the recommended minimum tank size for a porc. puffer is 80 gallons.. a 125 is more than big enough
 

aw2

Active Member
So, a fish that can and will max out at 18" will be fine in a 80gal. or a 125gal.?
 

justforfun

Member
Originally Posted by AW2
So, a fish that can and will max out at 18" will be fine in a 80gal. or a 125gal.?

I think yoiu have to see this puffer in person to understand how big around they get at that lengh. The old owner had a 300 tank and it was to big for it. That is why he had to sell him.
So to answer your questino I dont think a 18in long puffer would fit in a 80 or 125 or 250. He needs at least 750 to be happy in life. That is like you lving in a 300sft appt. It could be done, but you will not be happy.
I want my fish to live in a mansion if they can. I even think my 1000 will be small after some time. But we shall see once it gets here. For now everyone is happy in my 250.
 

aw2

Active Member
justforfun,
My last comment wasnt made towards you. I think it's great that you're setting up a 1000gal. tank.
My comment was directed towards ams153, when he stated that a Porc. would be fine in an 80gal. tank and that a 125gal. was more than enough room for it.
 

lionfu411

Member
i dont think a 750 is necessary for a porc but 125 is definately too small. i would say a 300 with the right proportions would fit it or even your friends 500 if it was maybe 6-10 inches wider.
ive seen porcs at the boston aquarium that were absolutely huge. like 18-20" monsters.
 

justforfun

Member
Originally Posted by AW2
So, a fish that can and will max out at 18" will be fine in a 80gal. or a 125gal.?
It all depends on what kind of fish. Some stay skinny the entire time, some like puffers get so big around it is more then their length. SO I would say no to a puffer, but yes to t a yellow tang.
 

justforfun

Member
Originally Posted by LionFu411
i dont think a 750 is necessary for a porc but 125 is definately too small. i would say a 300 with the right proportions would fit it or even your friends 500 if it was maybe 6-10 inches wider.
ive seen porcs at the boston aquarium that were absolutely huge. like 18-20" monsters.
If they are as big as this guy I am getting, then i would say 300 is not big enough. The home this guy came from had a 300 and it was to small for him. THat is why he had to sell him.
 

aw2

Active Member
Originally Posted by justforfun
It all depends on what kind of fish. Some stay skinny the entire time, some like puffers get so big around it is more then their length. SO I would say no to a puffer, but yes to t a yellow tang.

Yeah, but Yellow Tangs dont reach lengths of 18". An 18" fish, no matter the species, does not fit in an 80 or 125 gallon tank.
 

puffer24/7

Active Member
Porcupine Puffer
(Diodon holacanthus)
Click here for a larger image
Quick Stats
Minimum Tank Size: 90 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 1' 6"
Color Form: Black, Gray, Tan
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Diodontidae
The Porcupine Puffer is also known as the Porcupinefish or Porcupine Pufferfish. It has spiny appendages which cover most of its body, which may vary from light gray to mottled tans, sometimes with dark spots. Its teeth are actually a fused beak-like structure. The Porcupine Puffer lacks pelvic fins but has learned to use the pectoral fins to move about.
A 90 gallon or larger, fish-only aquarium with a good protein skimmer is a suitable home. It may be aggressive at times, nipping the fins of tank mates and leaving a circular hole as its mark. It will eat invertebrates found in a reef aquarium. It has the ability, when threatened or scared, to inflate its body to almost twice its normal size. Parts of its flesh are poisonous if digested.
The Porcupine Puffer needs a varied diet of meaty foods including; squid, krill, clams, and hard shelled shrimp to help wear down their ever growing teeth.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3"; Large: 3" to 5"
 

aw2

Active Member
Yeah, but you cut and pasted that from Live Aquaria, who are NOTORIOUS for understating the minimum tank size for fish.
It states, right there, on what you cut and pasted...WILL GET 1' 6"...that's 18". Now ,my 90gal. tank is 48x18x24. Do you think it's right to put an 18" fish in an 18" deep tank? :notsure:
 

aw2

Active Member
Originally Posted by puffer24/7
i will state this they rarely if ever get that big good god guys they normally never get that big

They most certainly will if given the proper habitat, water conditions and feedings.
 

1journeyman

Active Member
Originally Posted by AW2
Yeah, but you cut and pasted that from Live Aquaria, who are NOTORIOUS for understating the minimum tank size for fish.
LOL.. yep.. not exactly Dr.s of knowledge over there.
 

aw2

Active Member

Originally Posted by puffer24/7
stop being so closed minded please
Closed minded? Is it not our RESPONSIBILITY
to provide these fish with the best habitat possible? 90% of the time, these fish are being pulled from the ocean, to come and live in our tanks. It's a DUTY
to provide that fish with the best possible place to live. These fish are living things...not some random toys, that we can do with as we please.
It's as simple as this...if you dont have the right habitat for the fish, then DONT BUY THE FISH.
 

puffer24/7

Active Member
give me a break animal rights activist so that means we are going to go to every seaworld all over the world and take the killer whales out of there tanks please give me a break
 

1journeyman

Active Member
Originally Posted by puffer24/7
give me a break animal rights activist so that means we are going to go to every seaworld all over the world and take the killer whales out of there tanks please give me a break

Are we even in the same universe?
Zoos, public aquariums, etc. serve a neccessary evil. They educate the public. Education leads to reform which leads to conservation.
Ask any Zoo keeper, professional aquarist, etc. They will tell you they would love to release the whales back into the ocean.
Many of the animals at Sea World cannot be released. I was a member of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network when I lived in CC. A couple of very young dolphins washed up and were too young to take care of themselves. They were eventually taken to Sea World San Antonio.
 
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