Silver tip shark

[stik6shift98]

its in freshwater now and is 5 inches when should i put it in brackish and how shall i do it... will it be okay with 2 puffers their about 4 inches each

[Pufferpunk]

You're going to have to acclimate it slowly. What SG are the puffers in? I'm assuming they're GSPs? How large is the tank?

[MonoSebaelover]

Just make sure you know that they will need at least a 90G when adult more preferably a 125. I would start acclimating him to brackish now. Like Pufferpunk said do it slowly, especially at his size, they can be easily shocked.

[stik6shift98]

i have many tanks but dont want one that will be brackish...can he live in freshwater for life?

[Pufferpunk]

No. What kind of puffers do you have?

[MonoSebaelover]

If you don't want to give him brackish water then I would return him. They are native to brackish waters and this should be duplicated in captivity. Puffers on the other hand SHOULD be kept in brackish (esp. Fig 8's and Spot) but they can be kept in freshwater and saltwater. If they are kept in freshwater they require a high pH of at least 7.6. Figs and Spots can be kept in freshwater, brackish, and saltwater but you will see best colors, health, etc in brackish. Why don't you want a brackish tank? Nothing personal just wondering. Brackish has some of the most amazing and oddball fish. Can you find an Anablep Anablep (4-eyed fish) in freshwater or saltwater? Nope! Can you find an Archer that can spit water in order to knock insects off a branch above the water in freshwater or saltwater? Nope! Also can you find a Mudskipper anywhere else other than Brackish? Nope! Just thought I would point out some of the highlights of brackish.

[damion]

So how much longer will the 5" silver tip sharks last in freshwater? I have 2 that are 4" and seem to be doing just fine in freshwater.

[stik6shift98]

ya how much longer will it live????

[ChilDawg]

The question should not have to be asked about longevity of a fish in less-than-optimal conditions. If you are planning to keep it in such conditions, return the fish and get something else which you would be willing to maintain!

[Pufferpunk]

The only answer I can give you is that it certainly won't live nearly as long as it's life expetancy could be. It's immune system will eventually be compromised & disease will set in. Please take into consideration that these are living beings! These are wild-caught fish, that could have lived a long & happy life in nature. Man has scooped these fish out of their natural environment to sell to us, & it is our responsibility to give them the best care possible, in the most natural environment, for the fish to live a long & healthy life. Do you know that goldfish can live 70 years? Most folks consider them "throw away" fish! Please don't throw away yours!

[damion]

I can appreciate the opinions but I would like some sources which can be referred too.

[stik6shift98]

goldfish can live 70 years?????

[Pufferpunk]

You aren't going to find any data on how long a fish can live out of it's natural environment. There are some very old koi, that are pampoered & kept in optimal conditions, in Japan. A normal comet can live at least 20 years, some puffers have been kept by people I know for 18.

[stik6shift98]

wow they live for a while.....

[Pufferpunk]

Yes, and it's our responsibility to make sure they live as long as possible. One way we can do that is to keep them in as natural an environment as possible & others are weekly water changes & feeding fish more than just flakes everyday.

[stik6shift98]

I feed mine a different food almost every day...:D