Hello there. I recently decided to set up a saltwater tank but soon found out that the knowledge of employees in chain pet stores is definately lacking. I have a 12 gallon tank housing only a Porcupine Puffer and a CC Starfish. How long do you think I will be able to keep the current size tank before my puffer outgrows it? If I would of known that they got so large I would of gotten a larger tank but I wasn't informed . At the moment he is only about 4in long. I have also gotten mixed results on how to feed him. So far I have been told every other day. I have live fish, as well as 2 different types of frozen food I have been feeding him and he seems to enjoy everything. I have heard that he needs crunchy food but I haven't had luck finding much of any because hes so small. He does live with the starfish but never seems to bother him at all so I am happy about that. But thanks for any help you can give me .,
Mike

I would say the tank is already too small for the puffer.

And puffers are strange things to keep with fish that ask to be nibbled (like choc-chip stars, or lion fish) as they can be fine or days, weeks, months, years even; then decide that it is time for some tank-mate redecoration and nip the hell out of everything.

Live fish is probably not a great diet for the puff, most puffers eat a more invertebrate based diet (hence the large beak like teeth) and do well on cockles, mussels, clams, crabs etc in their shells.

Best food would be prawns still in their shell from the local supermarket.

If I ended up getting rid of the Puffer, what types of fish would get along safely with the star fish?

I feel for you, I also was misinformed when I first started out and i am still a newbie but You might want to take the star fish back also. I also had one on the lfs advice and found out they can get as big as my hand, He also ate two shrimp a fish and three snails before i took him back. also if the starfish dies in a 12 gallon tank it will probably kill everything else along with it. My advice to you is to check out the nano section and scroll through the posts you can find out what will fit in your tank there. Everyone is really helpful on this forum so just ask and they are happy to help they have never steered me wrong.


also if you go to liveaquaria.com you can look through and see what tank size they recomend. they also have a nano section so your search wont take as long. Hope i have been of help and good luck!

Definately agree that you need to look at fish for nano tanks with a 12 gallon, such as blennies and gobies. I've seen chocolate chips about 6" big too --- possibly too big for your tank. They are peaceful, even though they're not reef compatible.

Thanks for the replies, I will try to get them back and pick fish to fit my tank. I have learned to never trust anyone who works there again . I hate that because I liked the little puffer. One day when I have the room and money for a bigger tank I will have to get one again.