New High End Brackish Souther Puffers...

[Marine/Freshwater?]

I was down in Cape Canaveral this weekend and i saw a lot of dead puffers smashed into the ground. People aparrently think it is funny to catch puffers by the hundreds, throw them on the ground and let them afixciate. Then for more fun drive over them with your car. I was outraged. I scooped up a few "fresh ones" and put them in my tank. They are both Southern Puffers (Sphoeroides nephelus), not south american puffers. They are a saltwater/high end brackish species. They are both eating but... one is laying around a lot more. These guys act exactly like giant arowhead puffers. they like to burry themselves. Anyway I need advice from somebody. I am only keeping one, i am donating the other to my lfs. I plan to add more sand to improve things but i am still worried, i have one of those really, really bad feelings that something is about to go awry.

 

[nmonks]

Sounds a horrible situation, and I'm glad you're able to help out.

Sphoeroides spp. tend to be nervous in aquaria. They're pretty active animals. You basically need to provide them with subtropical conditions, lots of oxygen, and good water quality. I've kept specimens for short periods in unheated aquaria outdoors in Florida and not had any problems.

There's a brief summary of their needs in the Aqualog book: Brackish to marine, high pH, bright light, 3000+ (!) litre tank, difficult to keep, needs frozen/live foods. I suspect the aquarium size is a little more generous than is 100% necessary, but I think the point is that they don't do well when the feel boxed in.

Cheers, Neale