porc puffer with baby cowfish

[shwstpr88]

Ok so I have a puffer fish about 3in not too big and a new baby cowfish in my tank, as well as 8 o 9 other fish. The puffer last night started going after the baby cowfish!!! Is there anything I can do to get these two to coexist or do they generally have problems? The puffer doesnt attack any one else so what do you guys think?

 

[dani]

I believe if the cowfish is too stressed that it will release chemicals into your tank; I've also heard that this can cause a tank to crash.
I was considering a cowfish until I read about those factors.

 

[alabama reefer]

If the puffer continues to attack the only solution would be to remove one, other than that there is really nothing you can do. I have a cowfish and have done a lot of reading and the stories of releasing the toxin when stressed or dying is more myth than fact.

 

[shwstpr88]

Are these two generally compatible though or is this going to be an ongoing thing to where I will need to seperate?

 

[hallzy]

I would think these 2 would get along, they are both technically considered puffers. Maybe if the porcupine is a bit bigger, he might pick on him, but I wouldn't think they would for long. I have a cowfish, but I have never had a porcupine in with it, but my dad has had both and they got along fine. But the cowfish he has was full grown, but his porcupine was also pretty big, so who knows. Just keep an eye on them the next few days, and if they keep fighting you might just have to take one out. Also like Bama Reefer said, I think it would take quite a bit to stress the cowfish out because the first night I got mine, he got stuck in the pump intake and I pulled him away from it and hes been fine ever since. The poor thing may have been stuck there all night for all I know! But he didn't get stressed at all, when I unstuck him, he swam around right away looking for food as usual! lol They are fun fish to keep.

 

[sueandherzoo]

I have always wanted a cowfish - it's one of the main reasons I got into saltwater tanks! But after I got into it and started doing research and reading and heard how "toxic" they are, I've never given into the temptation to get one. A few weeks ago my LFS had a cowfish in and I wanted him SO BADLY and was going to cave in and get him for the tank that my puffer is in. The LFS guys talked me out of it, warning me of the risk of him getting stressed or dying and releasing toxins that would wipe out my entire tank. I'm not sure if I'm glad they talked me out of it or not........
Sue

 

[hallzy]

Originally Posted by SueAndHerZoo
http:///forum/post/3007293
But after I got into it and started doing research and reading and heard how "toxic" they are, I've never given into the temptation to get one.
Sue
If you want one I would get one, because I keep hearing the same thing you heard, but I've never once actually heard of a story that a cowfish had actually nuked the tank. And they are such fun fish to watch! They will even follow your finger around the tank!

 

[tinatina5]

I did have a cow fish die in my tank and wipe out all my fish

. The fish did die over night so we didn't get him out right away. Didn't effect any of the corals just killed all the other fish. They are very delicate fish and easily stressed. Just thought I would throw my 2 cents in. Good Luck

 

[sueandherzoo]

Well, here's the real problem: if I broke down and got one I'd probably put it in my seahorse tank since that's a very low-stress, peaceful tank, but if he did get sick or stressed or emit his toxin I would lose a LOT of money. Seahorses aren't cheap. It would be unwise to gamble with their lives so I keep resisting. Maybe I'm going to have to set up a fourth tank specifically for cow fish. (any excuse will do!)
Sue

 

[cleve_seahorse]

I was at my lfs the other day and they had a "boston bean" aka baby longhorn cowfish....maybe an inch big....ohhhh it was so cute, but alas no tank but a seahorse tank to put him in , so I resisted...but he was soooo cute

 

[hallzy]

Originally Posted by Cleve_seahorse
http:///forum/post/3007704
I was at my lfs the other day and they had a "boston bean" aka baby longhorn cowfish....maybe an inch big....ohhhh it was so cute, but alas no tank but a seahorse tank to put him in , so I resisted...but he was soooo cute

Are u saying you only have a seahorse tank? Because you can put cowfish in with seahorses! They are very calm, timid fish!

 

[cleve_seahorse]

Originally Posted by hallzy
http:///forum/post/3007715
Are u saying you only have a seahorse tank? Because you can put cowfish in with seahorses! They are very calm, timid fish!
I know , but when you have 6 horses at 80-100 bucks a horse , plus live rock , plus softie /leather corals ,plus a few other fish thats well over 1000 + bucks a tank, just in one of my 3 horse dt's..not counting dwarf tanks/ qt / hospital tanks.If I bought a lil cowfish and he released the toxin in my tank , you'd see the story on cnn or msnbc....hehe...

 

[sueandherzoo]

Originally Posted by SueAndHerZoo
http:///forum/post/3007680
Well, here's the real problem: if I broke down and got one I'd probably put it in my seahorse tank since that's a very low-stress, peaceful tank, but if he did get sick or stressed or emit his toxin I would lose a LOT of money. Seahorses aren't cheap. It would be unwise to gamble with their lives so I keep resisting. Maybe I'm going to have to set up a fourth tank specifically for cow fish. (any excuse will do!)
Sue
That's what I was saying here: the seahorse tank would be perfect for a timid, docile cowfish but IF it did emit toxins and kill its tankmates, the horses have a heavy investment in them, not to mention my emotional one.
Sue

 

[alabama reefer]

I think the thread got hi-jacked a little but for the OP the aggression should subside but monitor them and if it doesn't you will have to take one out. About releasing the toxin: I can't sit here and tell you it can't happen but I can say that there is very little evidence to support that it happens in our aquariums even with death. An ammonia spike because of a dead cowfish is a more likely culprit, IMO. My cowfish resides with my yellow tang, naso tang, coral beauty, clowns and some others and none of them jack with him. Those are some aggressive fish he is with and he holds is own even though he is such a clumsy swimmer.

 

[sueandherzoo]

You're absolutely right - my apologies to the OP for the hijack. Hope things work out between your puffer and cowfish - two of my favorite fish!
Sue

 

[shwstpr88]

Happy to report everyone is playing nice in the pool at my house ever since I posted Phew!