Puffers...

E

eipappas

Guest
Wondering what type of puffer I could get with the fish I currently have and the size of my tank... (the sailfish tang may go back - didn't realize he was such a swimmer)... I have read the threads on ideal tank size but was wondering how long I could keep a dog face in my 46 gallon before I have to upgrade to a bigger tank... Basically - getting a puffer was the reason I got a fish tank, so any constructive suggestions would be greatly appreciated! There has to be someway this can work... right?
Also, any thoughts on the webbed burrfish?
 
musipilot

musipilot

Member
You could consider a Fiji blue spotted puffer. They are very small as juveniles, and grow VERY slowly. Very hardy, and eat anything.
 
E

eipappas

Guest
Thanks Musipilot - Any thoughts on where I could buy a blue-spotted puffer?... I haven't seen any in stores and i've been looking for info online but i'm not having much success...
Also - what do we think about a burrfish? anyone know about this type of puffer? What's the difference between "webbed" and "bridled"... Thanks!
 
sistrmary

sistrmary

Member
I've never heard of a webbed puffer..it's probably just your LFS's name for them :D A lot of the time if they don't know what it is, they'll just call it whatever sounds neat to them.
Bridled burrfish aren't hearty typically...they're usually reluctant to feed and end up starving to death. They also pick on bottom dwellers and require a 75gal tank.
I think that he is talking about Ostracion meleagris (blue boxfish, spotted boxfish, etc. The only problem that I have with this fish is that it is *the* most notorious boxfish (including cowfish) for poisoning tanks. When stressed they exude an ostratoxin that kills an entire tank. If you keep them alone, they're wonderful.
Have you looked into the tobies? Some of them are very pretty, and require a lot smaller tanks. Most puffers get too big for a 46gal, whereas most tobies are perfect for them :D
 
eslowfiddy

eslowfiddy

Member
Congratulations on choosing a puffer! :) The first time I saw one (Yello Sapo) I never forgot how much personality they have. I've since got a 125 gal that I am working on getting up and running.
Again, congrats on choosing puffers, the best and smartest fish ever. Yes. I am terribly biased! ;)
-E
 
E

eipappas

Guest
Thanks E - I really want to make this "puffer dream" work - I have a canthigaster sp. puffer now (a blue-spot toby) but am hoping to add a very small dogface to the mix when I can find one small enough. I thought about a burrfish or a porcupine puffer but I think they may be too tempermental for the fish in my tank.
Has anyone had any experiences with evil dogfaces? Do I run a risk of warfare between the members of my tank? (I realize my tank is a tad on the small size but keep in mind I am planning on upgrading in a couple years.)
Also, just read the thread on triggers... Maybe I should keep those questions to a different thread...
 
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