View Full Version : Figure eight puffers
I bought two figure eight puffers on sunday they are currently in a 7g tank until my hubby has sorted out one of our larger tanks for them. They came out of a fresh water tank in the lfs, i asked the guy and he said they were bred in fresh water so curently i have them in fresh water but want to move them to brackish without putting to much stress on them. Any advise on how to do this would be appreciated.
mandy21
09-03-2008, 3:14 PM
My LFS sells these guys as marine. I could not find much information out about them, and often conflicting information as to what conditions to put them in. I was getting a tank set up to do brackish conditions and had planned on slowly lowering him down startig the following day but he had died within 4 hours.
Sploke
09-03-2008, 3:21 PM
I would start increasing the salinity slowly up to about 1.005, by .001 every day or two. Keep an eye on them as they don't always play well with others.
jackiomy
09-03-2008, 3:25 PM
Habitat/Care: Controversy exists over whether or not any puffers are actually true freshwater fish. I believe the figure eight to be one of the few that falls in that category. They originate in the freshwaters of the Southeast Asia region, and although they tolerate brackish or even full saltwater, mine have always done best in freshwater. They prefer a neutral pH and soft to moderately hard water. They require ample open space to swim, but also need places to hide.
Generally puffers are not well suited to a community tank because they tend to be aggressive. Even puffers who have previously been docile can become aggressive as they age, or if they are not well fed. I've had puffers who got along very well for long periods of time and then suddenly turned on their tankmates and chewed them to pieces. On the other hand, most owners have found figure eights more peaceful than any other puffers and some have successfully kept them in a community tank.
zoowks
09-03-2008, 7:07 PM
most people recommend 1.005 for salinity, which is what i have now, from what i've read its better because their immune systems are weakened in freshwater, make sure not to raise too fast or you'll destroy the bio load and have the tank cycle which is really bad for a scaleless fish such as a puffer
brackbrat
09-03-2008, 10:54 PM
Check out thepufferforum.com
They have all the info you'll need. It sure helped me out with my Fig 8.
Pufferpunk
09-04-2008, 10:06 AM
FIGURE 8 PUFFERS (http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/library/puffers-in-focus/fig8/)
Thanks for the info have joined the pufferforum and i am going to slowly raise the salinity till they are in brackish water as i want the best for these little cuties. They will be going in a 35g once they come out of the qt tank but i want some time for the plants to grow a bit.
chazsgirl
09-04-2008, 7:14 PM
they are cute little guys! I have freshwater puffers but love to see the cuties of the brackish water that i refuse to dive into!good luck!
Reefscape
09-05-2008, 2:30 AM
Puffers look great Faun....a really nice purchase..
My LFS had 10 baby Figure 8's come in. They are about the size of a thumbnail. I wish I still had a small brackish tank. I would have taken some home...
krytan
09-23-2008, 2:19 PM
I picked up some tanks of freecycle recently including a 20g hex, when my wife saw it she nicked it off me for her puffers. This tank is still a temporary tank until my 35g tank is empty.
Pufferpunk
09-23-2008, 4:34 PM
Very nice tank! Remember though, longer is always better for puffers. Also, they are beter kept with aragonite or crushed coral substrate to keep the pH steady, around 8.
mlefessler
09-24-2008, 3:14 PM
Look at their little round bellies! They look great! =D
zoowks
09-24-2008, 4:36 PM
pp as mentioned op said that its temporary till the 35 is ready
Very nice tank! Remember though, longer is always better for puffers. Also, they are beter kept with aragonite or crushed coral substrate to keep the pH steady, around 8.
As stated earlier they will be going in a 35g as soon as its ready for them also we are very lucky/unlucky in having extremely hard water at least ph 8 straight out of the tap. yes they are very chubby little guys they are eating MTS red cherry shrimp and bloodworm so they get fed very well but only 6 times a week as don't want them to pop LOL.
BumbleinGrey
10-10-2008, 6:05 PM
sorry i would suggest moving them to a bigger tank so they don’t kill each other , my research into this fish which has been the only fish i have researched until late suggests that 15 gallons min for one of these alone and 25 gallons min for 2 or they are going to nip or kill each other.
mine are social to each other in 30 although feeding time is very unique having to bring food to each of them with tweezers at the levels they are currently at , or they will go after each other for food.
sorry for worrying but 7 gallons seems way to small even to keep them for a short time
prolude006
10-10-2008, 7:09 PM
Please remember to feed them snails of some sort....they need to crack shells to keep their TOOTH from overgrowing. If they dont file it down occasionally they will not be able to eat. I had 8 figure 8 puffers for years as well as dwarf puffers. I had to return them eventually as my 30 gallon was just not large enough for them not to fight. They nip each other and they get infections quite a bit if your water is not in great condition. I recommend you keep them in fresh water so that their aggression stays in check longer. They are from fresh water naturally and deal with brackish type water when the monsoons push the ocean water into the marshes. They can survive full salt water for a long time. They are really fun to have. Good Luck