Puffer Question for newbie.

[sachinmisra]

Hi,
This is my first post. I've had a 55gal tank setup for about 3 mos now, with about 75lbs of live rock. Started with 6 damsels.
Just added a red hermit crab, a astera snail, and my fav a porcupine puffer named Mrs. Puff (Spongebob char). What else can I put in the tank? I'd like to have a reef tank, but I've heard that its not possible with a puffer. She seems peacefull enough. I know I can't have shrimp etc.
What about sea cucumbers? Featherdusters? Any coral?
Thanks.

 

[puffy_1234]

Seems peaceful... HA! looks are decieving... That's what I thought about mine, until he started eating my starfish.... sea cucumbers I don't think would be a good idea... once you get a porky puffer, it stays an aggressive tank... that's what I am disappointed in... Mine is getting mean, looked peacful when I got it... but now, when I feed him feeder goldfish (which I am trying to wean him off those, and having no luck) but when I put the net with the goldfish, he attacks the net... be careful what you get

 

[hairtrigger]

Yeah... watch out for puffers. Especially porcupines. First, seems like the tank is already crowded with that much LR. And a puffer. Those things grow quickly and need a lot of space. They like to swim and move up and down the glass. Now, they are very messy too. So, I would plan on getting rid of it soon. But, those inverts you have in there... kiss them goodbye. Wait a little while. All of those things, puffers love to devour in the ocean. They will catch on in your tank too. Good luck though.

 

[eslowfiddy]

With puffers you are basically stuck with a fish only tank. No inverts or coral. It's even possible that the puffer might munch on your LR from time to time too (but not enough to worry about). I've seen puffers chew on crushed coral substrade like it was jawbreaker candy.
-E

 

[sistrmary]

I have a puffer and a toby in a 90gal with a bahama star. While they're not the prettiest star in the world, it's still alive and adds something different to what was a FOWLR tank.