Fig 8 Puffers.. How Many?

[simonas]

I have a spare 30x15x12 tank which I was going to use for puffers.

as fig 8's are easier to get hold of in my LFS how many could I reasonably keep in this tank. I have no experience of them, only dwarf puffers.

Could I keep some dwarfs with them or would they clash too much. I am also basing that on the fig 8's being freshwater, however would you recommend I add anything to the water to suit them more. I really want to provide best environment for them?

Is it best to just have the puffers or could I add anything else with them ie Bumblebee's if I add anything to water

 

[AMS]

I have a spare 30x15x12 tank which I was going to use for puffers.

as fig 8's are easier to get hold of in my LFS how many could I reasonably keep in this tank. I have no experience of them, only dwarf puffers.

Could I keep some dwarfs with them or would they clash too much. I am also basing that on the fig 8's being freshwater, however would you recommend I add anything to the water to suit them more. I really want to provide best environment for them?

Is it best to just have the puffers or could I add anything else with them ie Bumblebee's if I add anything to water

Yes, Figure 8's are fairly common in LFS's. How many puffers per tank depends on the tank size and individual personality of the puffer. I have no scientific evidence to support this, but IMHO more intelligent fish such as puffers and cichlids have different temperments that differ from each specimen. It is hard to label a Figure 8 puffer as peaceful or aggressive as some are peaceful, semi-aggressive, or in some cases aggressive. A basic guide that seems to work well is 1 Figure 8 per 15-20 gallos. If you have less aggressive puffers this guide can be bent, if you have more aggressive puffers stick with 20 gallons per.

Its is highly reccomended that figure 8's be kept in brackish water, though it is possible to keep them in freshwater. If you keep them in freshwater I would not adivse you keep them with Dwarf Puffers as the figure 8's will be nipped.

Figure 8's can easily be homed with other brackish water fish. Bumble Bee Gobies are an excellent tankmate with figure 8's, as are glassfish, knight gobies, and orange chromides.

 

[simonas]

cheers for that

I have just bought a hydrometer and some salt so will set water and tank up tonight and let it rest for a bit. I have paid deposit on my puffers and will put them in afetr I have checked water

the LFS had some spotted puffers in there. about 2 inches long, yellow/green with a spot on therear flanks that mimic an eye. From looking at pics on here culd be Leiurus. Would one or more of these be suitable for my tank and what gravity would I need

 

[SirMinion]

Tetraodon leiurus is NOT a brackish puffer but your description doesn't sound like them anyway. Stick with the figure eights, they're colourful, active and can be kept in small groups.

 

[simonas]

Thanks for that Sir Minion

I have tank set up and salt in etc leaving it to mature fora short while. Its the filter from when it was freshwater up unti weekend.

I have bought a hydrometer... what specifi gravity would you suggest for fig 8's?

 

[AMS]

I have tank set up and salt in etc leaving it to mature fora short while. Its the filter from when it was freshwater up unti weekend.

I have bought a hydrometer... what specifi gravity would you suggest for fig 8's?

Are you doing a fishless cycle? (IE adding ammonia) What if any, fish do you have in there now?

The ideal specific gravity or SG for figure 8 puffers is between 1.001 and 1.005. Note that most hydrometers dont read 1.001 so dont worry. Many people feel as though they need to add the most amount of salt, in this case 1.005, but that is not the case. The puffer will be perfectly healthy in that 1.001 to 1.005 range. Be sure to vary the SG with every water change as fluctuation of SG is beneficial to brackish water fish.