Fahaka -- What Food and Sand?

[Jakezori]

So, I am 80% sure I'm going to get a fahaka puffer for my 90 gallon (starting at 2-3" and growing until 10"-1', then moving into a 120-180 gallon).


Questions I have:

1. What diet should he have starting at that size and how should the diet change? I've heard something gives them lockjaw if you feed them too much of it. I'd like a well balanced super puffer food formula lol

2. What sand should I get for him and how thick should it be at the bottom of the tank? (also just out of curiosity... does it really have to be sand?) ... Also, I despise play sand so def not going with that. Whats that sand that looks glassy, smooth, and lighter?

3. How fast do they grow? In 1 year, what should I expect?

4. How much filtration should I have? How often should I skim the bottom of the tank with a hose to suck up debris?

 

[bazil323]

1. What diet should he have starting at that size and how should the diet change? I've heard something gives them lockjaw if you feed them too much of it. I'd like a well balanced super puffer food formula lol. Krill is what can cause lockjaw. It's fine as a treat but not everyday/regular diet. A variety of meaty and crunchy foods like shrimp (raw shell-on shrimp from supermarket works great), clams, mussel, snails, etc., is best. I rotate the different foods. Since no food has all the nutrients they need (except prepared foods which they won't accept), you will have to feed a variety.

2. What sand should I get for him and how thick should it be at the bottom of the tank? (also just out of curiosity... does it really have to be sand?) ... Also, I despise play sand so def not going with that. Whats that sand that looks glassy, smooth, and lighter? Pool filter sand works good and is cheap. If you like black sand, Black Blast sandblasting sand by TCC Materials is another option. I got 50 pounds for about $7. I'm not exactly sure if fahakas need sand as I've never even let myself think about getting one due to their size requirements. Pufferpunk would know more.

3. How fast do they grow? In 1 year, what should I expect? Again, I'm not exactly sure, but I try to start them in the tank they will need as adults right away so that I'm absolutely sure that I'm not risking stunting. This is especially important with messy fish like puffers (messy in their eating habits but also make lots of waste).

4. How much filtration should I have? How often should I skim the bottom of the tank with a hose to suck up debris? Get a filter that's rated for much more of tank than you have. Puffers, as I said above, are messy eaters and produce lots of waste, so they really need excellent filtration to help you keep up. In the size tank you will need for a fahaka, I would think an FX5 would be a good choice. If possible, I would run 2 filters (maybe the FX5 and an Eheim) to doubly ensure proper filtration but also to make sure you have a back-up in case one fails or you are cleaning/servicing it. I would do gravel vacuuming once a week when you are doing the water change. Puffers are very sensitive to poor water quality, so this is essential. If you have leftover food, remove it right away. Overfeeding is a problem too as puffers don't know when to stop eating.

 

[Jakezori]

great, thanks for the response!

As for sand, I am looking for the softest and heaviest sand so that the fahaka and bury a bit and so that it will be easier to clean.

Right now I have a magnum 350 pro, a knock off eheim, and a bio sponge running... I think that should be good, but as you said because they are messy, I may get a emperor 400

 

[MChorse13]

great, thanks for the response!

As for sand, I am looking for the softest and heaviest sand so that the fahaka and bury a bit and so that it will be easier to clean.

Right now I have a magnum 350 pro, a knock off eheim, and a bio sponge running... I think that should be good, but as you said because they are messy, I may get a emperor 400

knock off eheim??? link???

 

[Jakezori]

there are a bunch of filters like it on ebay