Figure 8 puffers with bettas?

[olwiggum]

This is probably silly, but I am about to put Figure 8 Puffers in a 10 gallon tank. The tank was set up as a community tank, but the fish have been added to a 30 gallon tank in the last few days. I drained all of the water and refilled it. We put a betta in for a couple of days (still in there) so that the water could cycle and get "dirty".
Someone said that I might be able to leave the betta in there when I add Puffers. Is that true? I've read several things that say that puffers should be in a tank by themselves, but I've also read that you can put Rainbow Sharks and Tiger Barbs in with Figure 8's because they're not as aggressive as other puffers.

Any suggestions/help will be appreciated.

[OrionGirl]

No, the F8 puffers are not suitable tankmates for a betta. No puffer really is--I had dwarves in with mine for a while, than added a female who shredded the betta overnight. F8 are not the most peaceful puffers out there, either--S American puffs claim that title, I think.

Make sure of the species. F8's really need brackish water to thrive.

[RTR]

Agree strongly w/OG.

Figure 8s are too big for a ten and too aggressive for a betta as tankmate, and besides they need brackish water if you want a normal life from the fish.

Puffers are highly spcialized feeders and require appropriate water conditions. Most are poor tankmates for other fish.

For Figure 8 care, see:

http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/8puffer.shtml

HTH