Tetraodon Mbu, Mbu Puffer

[Mark_b]

Anyone have one?

I would love to hear any stories, see any pics of peoples Mbu's!

Mine is currently about 4" long with lovely colours and patterning, he is a really nice fish! He has a great personality too!

Before anyone asks me. I do know how big they get and fully intend to upgrade my tank as and when required, hopefully ending up a few years in the future making a big room/tank thing.

 

[OrionGirl]

Even though the Mbu are not brackish, we try to consolidate puffers into the Brackish section. Moving this on over. OG

Have you had an problems with aggression?

 

[Catlid]

the day i saw a puffer peck the eyes out of a scat in a lfs i stopped liking puffers.

 

[Mark_b]

Sorry Oriongirl! I didn't realise about the puffer thing, but will keep it to the brackish disc. from now on!
:duh: :emb:

About your question of aggression. No i haven't seen any at all! He's as placid as anything even when i'm feeding him and the silver dollars try and nick his cockles. Sometimes they manage to get them but he never chases them he just looks sad and begs me for more. Actually when i bought him i thought and my lfs agreed (one of the guys has had an Mbu for about 5 years) that the shrimp that i had bought a few weeks before had no chance! I tried to catch them before i introduced Puffy, my Mbu's name, but could only catch 2 out of 7. Anyway i decided to keep my eye on them and left the other 5 in. Since then he's barely looked at them, although the shrimps have chased him a few times when hes got too close for comfort! I've had him for about three months now.

Catlid i would agree that some puffers have a slightly aggresive temperament but not all do.

 

[OrionGirl]

While it's great that he's been so peaceful so far, I really would not expect this to be the case long term. Puffers, as a family, are well known for overnight personality changes.

 

[RTR]

I'd plan on upgrading sizes pretty soon. A 180 is not big enough, I had caudal fin damage from the fish being unable to turn without brushing his caudal on the glass.

Mine stayed fairly mellow toward me, but no other fish was allowed in the tank. He started in a 40 gallon for QT, moved to a 75, then to the 180 where he stayed, but it was inadequate housing. I had to add a 120 veggie filter and later two 40-long veggie filters. It was still a PITA to keep the nitrates down to 40ppm.

Beautiful fish, very human-responsive, but very difficult to support. I will never keep another, despite that one being my favorite of all the fish I have kept.