Around Thanksgiving 2003 I got a brainy idea...I decided I wanted to replace my 10 gallon tank that was running amuck with Mollies and goldfish with a pretty, cool and no work at all salt water tank. HA HA HA...that is a huge laugh. But I did set up my 10 gallon tank with Nemo (clownfish), Gill (4 stripe damsel), Dory (Blue Devil/damsel), Dom (Domino Damsel)...added a few pieces of rock, some crushed coral and salt..and waited.....then the water cleared and fish were fine..I added 2 goldclaw crabs, and then 2 Sexy shrimp...then I decided I wanted a bigger tank, so I went the whole way up to a 29 gallon tank with a pretty stand. I then got a porcupine puffer fish, he is the cutest thing! He ate my shrimp & left me only shells of my crabs. I forgave him, learned my lesson, and then bought 2 blue-legged hermit crabs, 6 turbo snails and a bubble strip. Aside from some icky light brown algae growing, I have had no other issues. I have been told by a few shop owners that I am rushing my tank, but when I tell them my only fatalities has been due to my puffer deciding his brine shrimp were just the appetizer on those days, they seem amazed. So I would like to know, i am I the only "crazy person with the best luck" or what?? I have read a few things here & there and decided I will not attempt the anemone thing and there are a few breeds I will stay away from. I really only want 1 or 2 other fish (yellow tang & blue moscallus angel) and then a few more pieces of rock/coral. I currently have two 2 pound pieces of rock and one piece of decent coral. I am using a sandman filter that does the job with a heating setting of about 76-78. All of my fish are about the size of a half dollar or so...not large, the puffer is about 2 inches in length...So am I nuts??? 
You have amazing luck 
Your puffer needs a lot of room to swim and will not be very happy as he continues to grow. 
They are notorius for getting sick and will get sick if he is at all stressed. I would do one of two things........get a bigger tank with more live rock and not get any more fish, OR.......take some of your fish back and hopefully get store credit to get more live rock, or use it to get frozen food or accessories. I wish I had that luck when I set up my first saltwater tank! 
Keep up the water changes to keep any fatalities from happening while you are making your decision or getting the funds built up to get the bigger tank. You may also want to talk to your LFS about a protien skimmer.............
until the new units are installed. I have not yet found an answer to a question about Puffy the porcupine puffer. 
...he goes thru days when he is happy and playing then he kind of lays about for awhile..is he lonely or tired/stressed? any ideas? does he need a playmate? my other friends seem to be fine, except for the Blue devil, she does sometimes like to go after some of the other fish..now my clownfish is a little on the odd side, he was my first baby, when I open the hood to feed them, he comes to the top and sits there till I stick my finger in the water, he rubs it then goes about his dinner..any ideas?? 
is he looking for an anemone?? I have read that clownfish can live without them but the anemones can not live without a clown..is this right? Thanks again to all who took the time to put me in my place.. 
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