Help! Puffer Fish Help!

[chaitee]

I am planning to get puffer fish for my saltwater aquarium. The problem is I heard that puffer fish contains a poison call tetrodotoxin, and I am just wondering which kind of the puffer fish that is being sold on this site has no tetrodotoxin or low level of tetrodotoxin. Just to be safe!
The smaller puffer should have less tetrodotoxin, and I right?

 

[unleashed]

Originally Posted by chaitee
I am planning to get puffer fish for my saltwater aquarium. The problem is I heard that puffer fish contains a poison call tetrodotoxin, and I am just wondering which kind of the puffer fish that is being sold on this site has no tetrodotoxin or low level of tetrodotoxin. Just to be safe!
The smaller puffer should have less tetrodotoxin, and I right?
all puffers contain a toxin , but its only toxic when injested(eaten) boxfish one the other hand release the toxins when either stressed or death accures spiney boxfishes and burrfish are catagorized with a puffer and not of the accual boxfish.hope this helps

 

[boalgf]

Saltwater puffers do contain poisonous organs and sometimes poisonous skin. This is only something that can inflict damage if eaten though. They aren't like boxfish, which can secrete toxins in to the water. A fish would have to actually bite and take a piece of the skin to be in any danger.

 

[boalgf]

looks like i was beaten to the punch.

I did read that porcupine puffers can pass toxin through their spines while inflated. Anyone have information on that? My porc never inflates. not like I'd test the theory out myself anyway.

 

[unleashed]

Originally Posted by boalgf
looks like i was beaten to the punch.

I did read that porcupine puffers can pass toxin through their spines while inflated. Anyone have information on that? My porc never inflates. not like I'd test the theory out myself anyway.
I have not read anything to attest to that claim divers and many aquarians have handled there puffers bare handed with no such reports the spines help protect the animal from being eaten which in turn prevents poisoning.if your porc has never puffed that just means he doesnt get stressed or feels secure with his tank mates

 

[boalgf]

I have handled my porc a few times and once he did a semi puff up in my hand with no problems. I do try and avoid touching my fish normally. This time he had my prized ribbon eel in his mouth (the one that took me months of constant attention to get feeding). I had to do something. My eel has not eaten since.
Aggression is what you should be worried about with puffers.
What type did you plan on getting chaitee?

 

[jr2857]

chaitee you are safe as long as you don't put the puffer in your mouth

 

[jr2857]

that explains it all (and about other fishes too)