puffers.....puffers.....puffers
- Thread starter carnut
- Start date
itchy
Member
First of all ....different puffers will cost different amounts..Did you have a certain one you would like? What size tank do you have or planning to have? I would only suggest one puffer in the RIGHT size of tank....Since puffers are messy eaters I wouldn't do anything under 55 and this is to small for some of the larger puffers. Some more info from you would help everyone on this board help you make a GOOD decision on if and what kind you can have.....Good Luck
otto13
Member
I did puffers for a long time. Dont even try to do a porcupine puffer. They will get over a foot. 100 gallon minimum for one of those. A valentini would be great. 29 gallon would run you about 50-75 bucks at petsmart. That includes lights, not filter. The valentini will stay around 2-3 inches max. They will nip at other fish/puffers but wont kill them. I would try doing a freshwater/brackish puffer first. They are so cheap and hardy too.
Almost every fishstore carries them, even walmart "but dont buy fish from them, they treat their livestock horribly and they are diseased."
Dogface puffers are really really friendly. I mean they used to hit on my wife. That friendly. Really hardy saltwater puffer with personality to boot. The require a 55 gallon minimum as they will easily get 8 inches and eat quite a bit. Dogfaces are hit and miss as far as aggression. Most of them tend to be a little aggressive as first and then get along with other types of puffers. Stars and stripes puffers are about the same.
Burrfish are cheap, they look like porcupines, sort of, and they only get about 7-8 inches. They are really hardy too. I catch them locally at the ocean and they are really smart and friendly.
Almost every fishstore carries them, even walmart "but dont buy fish from them, they treat their livestock horribly and they are diseased."
Dogface puffers are really really friendly. I mean they used to hit on my wife. That friendly. Really hardy saltwater puffer with personality to boot. The require a 55 gallon minimum as they will easily get 8 inches and eat quite a bit. Dogfaces are hit and miss as far as aggression. Most of them tend to be a little aggressive as first and then get along with other types of puffers. Stars and stripes puffers are about the same.
Burrfish are cheap, they look like porcupines, sort of, and they only get about 7-8 inches. They are really hardy too. I catch them locally at the ocean and they are really smart and friendly.
bahamianme
Member
Originally posted by CARNUT
well i like the valentini--are they hardy --- i do not have a tank yet but plan to get one.How much does a 55 gallon tank cost approx. Is it possible to put seahorses in with them? thanks CARNUT
I have had 2 different puffers and I loved them. My 1st puffer was a "porcupine puffer" yellow with spikes and big blue eyes. He was so friendly and passive, didn't bother anyone. I also had 4 seahorses with him. The seahorses lasted6 months and the puffer died by accident. When I was doing water changing. I had bleached my hard corals and and forgoet to rinse them and he caught a whiff of the bleach. That was a sad day.Good luck!
bahamianme
Member
Originally posted by CARNUT
I have some questions about puffers 1.How much should i pay 4 one 2.how many should i have in a tank 6,10,20,etc. gallons 3.can i put different species in a tank at a time 4.are they hardy or not 5.can they go with other fish ????????
Answer to #1: $30 - $45
#2/3: 2 - 55 gal tank
#4 They are very hardy & friendly
#5: I have a Map Angel, 3-striped damsel, red tail puffer, yellow tang, blue hippo tank, 2 maroon clowns, Mono,
6 snails.
treyc.
Member
Each ones temperment will vary maybe a bigger scooter or cardinal, Puffing up is only stressful to them unless there in somethings mouth Krill with a vit.supp. or numerous other foods would do. note:If you use a vit.supp. water changes are extremely critical Like there not already!
Krill with a vit.supp. or numerous other foods would do. note:If you use a vit.supp. water changes are extremely critical Like there not already!
itchy
Member
Welocme to the board carnut....coming to this board was by far the best thing you could have done as far as educating yourself about saltwater as most LFS don't have a clue as to what they are doing...
I am getting the impression you want to maybe have a large tank that is somewhat aggressive. Yes you could go to Walmart or Meijier and buy a 55 gal for fairly cheap. The only thing you can not do is cut corners on a filter system and lighting depending on what you have in your tank....fish only are not picky.
Valentini puffers are not that expensive...around $30.00 where I am from (ky.) Some other fish you could put with them would be a Tomato Clown as they can be aggressive .I have never had a Valentini but you may could put 2 percula clowns with it. I have mine in with a huma and a dwarf lion. Again for color you could go the dwarf angel route....make this one of your last fish to put in as they do better with a mature tank.
As far as the goby you could do one of several different kinds. This you may want to be careful with as some are hard to feed without LR and LS along with a mature tank. Hope this helps and happy tankin
I am getting the impression you want to maybe have a large tank that is somewhat aggressive. Yes you could go to Walmart or Meijier and buy a 55 gal for fairly cheap. The only thing you can not do is cut corners on a filter system and lighting depending on what you have in your tank....fish only are not picky.
Valentini puffers are not that expensive...around $30.00 where I am from (ky.) Some other fish you could put with them would be a Tomato Clown as they can be aggressive .I have never had a Valentini but you may could put 2 percula clowns with it. I have mine in with a huma and a dwarf lion. Again for color you could go the dwarf angel route....make this one of your last fish to put in as they do better with a mature tank.
As far as the goby you could do one of several different kinds. This you may want to be careful with as some are hard to feed without LR and LS along with a mature tank. Hope this helps and happy tankin
ddaddy
Member
I have nothing but good things to say about the valentini puffer. I had a valentini for quite a while but then he managed to find a way out of his tank
Anywho, I also have a stars and stripes and he's a pretty cool fish too. These puffers are intelligent and recognize thier owners. Once I enter the room my stars and stripes puffer paces back and forth at the top of the tank waiting for shrimp.
I personally am more partial to the tobies because they're smaller and extremely cute. I attached a picture of my late valentini if anyone is interested. Real nice looking fish.
Anywho, I also have a stars and stripes and he's a pretty cool fish too. These puffers are intelligent and recognize thier owners. Once I enter the room my stars and stripes puffer paces back and forth at the top of the tank waiting for shrimp.
I personally am more partial to the tobies because they're smaller and extremely cute. I attached a picture of my late valentini if anyone is interested. Real nice looking fish.
chrisareston
Member
I too want to get a puffer, I like the valentini puffer. I did not get one though because the guy at the fish store said he would poke holes in my clowns with its sharp beak! Is this true? If so what is the best puffer to get with clowns, lawn mower blenny, and jaw fish? BTW i have 46 gal bowfront.
Thanks
Thanks
I
ivanfj
Guest
valentini puffer...I heard that they tend to eat live corals and they are not aggressive at all...I have one in my 20 gallons tank and he is doing fine.
chrisareston
Member
Dont have any live coral, but am concerned about my other fish! I dont want him to kill them.
eclipseagent
Member
I have a pourcipine puffer. I love the damn thing.
He is the greatest. I have in right now in a 75 gallon (he is only about 1.5 inchs long and growing fast)
I have feed him twice a day (and if I am not on schedule and sitting at the computer he will spit water at me)
He is pretty hardy. He did get picked on by a yellow tang (which we gave to the LFS)
Would I recommend him.. ONLY if you care for them. I am gonna miss my little llama (that is my puffers name)
He is the greatest. I have in right now in a 75 gallon (he is only about 1.5 inchs long and growing fast)
I have feed him twice a day (and if I am not on schedule and sitting at the computer he will spit water at me)
He is pretty hardy. He did get picked on by a yellow tang (which we gave to the LFS)
Would I recommend him.. ONLY if you care for them. I am gonna miss my little llama (that is my puffers name)
ophiura
Active Member
They are nippy, so they may bite little chunks out of the fins of your fish. It is hard to say whether they will do it or not, it is a personality issue, and that is related to other inhabitants, etc.
CARNUT,
Sounds like you are new to this hobby, and you've started out really well by asking questions here. I encourage you to keep asking questions, because you can not go out and just buy the tank, get a filter and get the puffer. It takes quite a while to set up a saltwater tank, and is an expensive hobby. The most important think is to be very patient, and read as much as possible. You should do some searches about setting up a new tank, filtration, etc. It will take time, but will save money if you do it right. It will also save fish!
A scooter blenny tends to have a diet that is based on having lots of good healthy live rock, and a small tank (29) is not the best choice for them. I am a bit worried about a cardinal and a Valentini in a smaller tank. But that is my opinion...
CARNUT,
Sounds like you are new to this hobby, and you've started out really well by asking questions here. I encourage you to keep asking questions, because you can not go out and just buy the tank, get a filter and get the puffer. It takes quite a while to set up a saltwater tank, and is an expensive hobby. The most important think is to be very patient, and read as much as possible. You should do some searches about setting up a new tank, filtration, etc. It will take time, but will save money if you do it right. It will also save fish!
A scooter blenny tends to have a diet that is based on having lots of good healthy live rock, and a small tank (29) is not the best choice for them. I am a bit worried about a cardinal and a Valentini in a smaller tank. But that is my opinion...
