Congo Puffers

[Meta_Ridley]

I'd like to try my hand at keeping one of these puffers, but there isn't much info out there. I know there predetors and most of the stufff you'd usually find, but I dont really know about tank size, longleivity, hardiness, etc. Does anyone have any info on these puffers or has anyone kept them before?

[Pufferpunk]

The Congo puffer (t murius) is the reason i got into the puffer hobby in the 1st place. These guys are really cool! They are ambush predators, that like to sit up to their eyeballs in sand, until a fish swims by, then WAMMO, it jumps out & eats it. They've even been known to kill plecos. Unfortunately, I had no idea how mean they were when I got one & had to return it. I now have a 15 gal tank saved & ready for the time I can afford a nice red one. They are so mean, that I know someone that named his "Homicide"! Here's some info on the t suvatti, a very close cousin. The t murius is even worse!

"I recently obtained one of these fellas for 20 bucks at my local LFS.
To say the least this fish is on crack! He was all settled in my Freshwater tank , with a nice sandy bottom with some live plants and rocks. I also kept 2 kissing gouramis an electric blue one glass cat and 4 red eye tetras.

Well before bed last night I watch my fish everynight before I go to bed,but anyways he starts going up and down the Tank Splashing Horrifically at the top. Well he ends up settling down finally so I go to bed , mind you my water is fine and nothing is wrong with the tank.

Well Next morning wake up and wammo , theres my lil guy laying in the sand having a good ol time while my tank was hit by a major earthquake

Total Casualties:

4 Red Eye Tetras
1 Kissing Gourami ( This fish was 3 inches long)
1 Electric Blue.
All plants uprotted and destroyed
Plastic Scenery moved 4 inches.

He seriously had some problem that he couldn't cope with I have read the available info on the and I highly suggest this fish to live in a Single Tank.

But they are very pretty and Cool fish , But Community isn't in there Vocab."

Here's some more info: "Arrowhead, T. suvattii (valid): No noticeable external differences between the genders. Designed to eat fish. Not recommended in a tank with fish you value. Occurs only in the Mekong basin of Thailand and Laos, in the mainstream and larger tributaries in places with muddy or rocky (as opposed to sandy) substrate, but not in the rapids like some of the other Mekong basin puffers. It resembles the T. miurus of African origin, but the resemblance has not yet been tested for a hypothesis of relationship."

"A exclusively freshwater fish from South Asia, is not at all meant to be together with groups of fish in an aquarium."

"T. suvatti pursue their prey in addition, quite speedily. They are nearly always successful and their attack is optimized by their strong teeth. Small fish are devoured immediately under violent chewing movements in the whole. Larger prey fish are first killed and gradually eaten.

Aggression is not as strongly pronounced with this kind, in my observations, as with the Congo Puffer. Preferable however is a large aquarium with as large, well structured a surface area as possible. There the fish can stay out of the puffer's way. Later assigned animals are usually mercilessly pursued by the puffer already acclimatized. Often an uncommon attitude does not permit the keeping of these fish with other species or even their own kind. If kept with others they should be frequently observed.

To intruders T. suvattii react immediately with great unrest. To begin they will only stare at the intruder. If the puffer is over the opponent in the clear, he ascends with threateningly lowered head, opens the muzzle and swims slowly towards the intruder. Usually this is sufficient to inspire the enemy to leave. If that is not the case, T. suvattii shows the opponent its broadside and inflates its body through water sips to a imposing size. Inflating makes unpleasant noises. Probably the opponent is to be irritated and intimidated by these unusual noises. Threateningly and impressively the inflated puffer swims in a zigzag before the opponent back and forth. The head is lowered and the open muzzle with the sharp teeth displayed. If the intruder does not vacate at this point the puffer will inflict serious bites.One can simulate this interesting behavior with the help of a small hand mirror. The puffers will attack their own mirror image."

[Firsttanks]

I've found a couple of good sites, http://petfish.net/puffer.htm has some good info on raising puffers. http://puffernet.tripod.com
also has good info, but the popups are annoying. You could try
http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquasource/ , there are some good articles in the archives, as well as new ones monthly, I think.
This one is my fav so far
http://www.pufferfish.co.uk/aquaria/index.htm

Hope these help.

[Meta_Ridley]

3 questions: How much would a small one cost, 2 - 3 inches
would a 25-30 gal. work well?
just how many feeders will he need on a day to day basis?

[Pufferpunk]

In the Chicago area I've seen them for $70-90. That's why I don't have one now. My puffer collection has gotten so large now (15), that I haven't had the funds to get one. :( Obviously, the larger tank the better. Sand bottom is preferred. I wouldn't feed it feeder goldfish, they are filthy fish & carry lots of diseases. You should be able to get it used to eating any kind of frozen fish. You may have to put it on a stick & "train" it to eat dead food. Crayfish & crabs will be eaten, in addition to shrimp, scallops, crab legs, etc . They, like all other puffers will need to eat hard shelled foods, like snails, to keep their teeth trimmed.

Make sure you fishless cycle your tank 1st, too!