Acclimating a brackish puffer to a 90 gallon Saltwater tank, can it be done?

Lo Vulpinus said:

I'm starting a 90 gallon saltwater tank soon and....

I've been researching the different types of less aggressive, smaller puffers such as the Canthigaster (tobies, or shapnoses) and am still worried that they may possibly be a threat to the fish and crustaceans I want to house....seems like a 50/50 chance that they will reek havoc or not.

I did however come across a few pages suggesting that the smallest and least aggressive puffer in the world is a brackish figure 8, and some other related brackish puffers (I actually believe there was one even smaller but I can't remember the name)

Does anybody have any idea as to whether or not he would acclimate well to a saltwater tank? If so, would the acclimation process just be standard or would there be a bit more involved?

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Well, first off, the smallest puffer that I know of is the dwarf puffer, definately smaller than an F8. Just to clear that up....
I don't think that F8's can be kept in saltwater (I know they are by definition, atleast, not supposed to be kept sw), but I know the usually-kept-in-brackish-Green Spotted Puffer AKA Leopard Puffer can be housed in saltwater, especially as adults. Don't know if that helps any....

The Dwarf puffer is the smallest however it is freshwater.

Take a look at this list, it shows the different species broken down to FW, BW and SW. I would recommend getting a SW puffer when the tank is set up.
http://www.pufferlist.com/

Puffers will not be trustworthy with crustaceans. Period. Some will ignore larger shrimps and crabs, but none will ignore all crunchies. Sorry--it just won't happen. Green spotted puffers are pretty pugnacious, as well, and they too will go after custaceans and snails. There are a number of marine puffers, including some that will be perfectly safe with a variety of fish--but not the crunchies.

Acclimating a true brackish puffer to SW will have much the same result as acclimating one to FW--okay in the short term, a health risk in the long run.

Fig 8's are NOT the least aggressive. The SAP is freshwater. The only puff that goes from brackish to marine is a GSP. I would really recommend the pufferlist link, also tons of info at www.thepufferforum.org/ :read:



Kim

F8s are happiest in the lower end of brackish at around 1.004 - 1.010. They're definitely not compatible with snails or shrimp.

The advice in this thread has been very good. I'm not sure what message boards have given you other advice, but you could try asking this question on www.thepufferforum.com . That's where the leading experts on puffers frequent (along with this board and a few others from time to time). RTR, Pufferpunk, etc. are found on the puffer forum. Other boards and websites are really full of misinformation about puffers. The only good, reliable book is the Aqualog Puffer book - most others (and I own them) are full of incorrect information, too.

Figure 8s may well adjust to SW, but they'll not lead a happy full life. Kept at 1.005 SG they've been know to live routinely into their teens and one lived 18 years. They're highly intelligent fish, and I can't imagine not giving them the care they need to survive long term. FWIW, I do have a figure 8.

Plus, they may be peaceful for puffers but they love crustaceans - muscles, cockles, shrimp, crab bits (shell on of small crabs) and snails. Plus, they're more than willing to taste any tankmates - they are pure carnivores.

Eric

F-8s are not the mildest mannered puffer by quite a stretch. Nor are they healthiest in full marine (light BW is as far as they should go IME) and certainly not longest-lived there. They will be delighted to eat any snail, bivalve mollusk, or crustacean in their tank. If not instantly, then as soon as they feel hungry.