Contemplating getting a Puffer tank

K

Katz

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Jul 8, 2003
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Hi guys,

I've been reading lots about puffers, because I think they are just great fish. I would like to bring my 10gal to the office, once I have convinced my husband that I really need a 20gal at home to keep my fish happy.

Questions I have:

What kind of Puffers and how many could go into a 10 gal?
Is it much more challenging to keep a brackish water than fresh, or is it really just more water conditioning?
How would Puffers deal with not being fed between Friday afternoon and Monday morning?
How could I keep a good supply of snails?

So many questions, but I just want to make sure I can do it well, before I go for it. Otherwise I'll give the 10gal to my friend for her Betas (with divider, of course)...

Thanks!!
 
I started my dwarf puffers off at work. They were here with me for about 6 months--I fed them with live brine, blood worms and snails. They never seemed to grow at all. Finally, I decided to move them home, into a bigger tank. All of the sudden, my bitsy-babies grew! The daily feedings and the constant availability of snails really helped out, and they all doubled in size quickly. So, I don't really think having dwarves in a small tank with missed meals is a good idea--maybe as adults, but not as juveniles. I think the same holds true for other FW species, but with the SA's, you'd be limited to a single fish.

For BW-it's not the same as FW. It requires a hydrometer, and water changes will require more time and effort--you have to dissolve the salt outside of the tank, and it should be brought close to the right temperature, since sg is temperature impacted. The BW species will be limited to a single specimen as well. I'm not sure if they'll need daily feedings, but think it's likely they will.

For any puffer, it is vitally important that they have enough crunchy stuff in their diet. The shells of snails, crabs, shrimp (ie, the stuff they eat in the wild) keep their beaks from overgrowing; if this happens, they starve.
 
a 10g is too small for any of the brackish puffers, however the FW dwarf puffer would be perfect for the 10g. BW puffers are not the kind of fish you want to put into cramped quarters, they're energetic, and curious. You should have at least a 30g with extra filtration (at least 8-9x the tank capacity for GPH). Dwarfs will be fine with 10-20g.
 
Good post OG, agree.

IME, a 10 is too small for anything but the dwarf puffers.

All juvenile puffers will do better with daily feedings until they are at least 75% of adult size, better even closer to adult size. You can always start the juveniles at home and move them to the office as they near maturity - that is only about six months for the dwarf puffer anyway.

Once nearly mature, weekend fasts will not be an issue.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies. I only want to do the best for the little critters. Looks like I'll just keep the 10 gal at home and get some dwarf puffers. My LFS usually has some, and they have always given me great advice and healthy fish. Just have to find a spot for them now...

Forgot to ask: how many?
 
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