New Puffer Ate My Shark!

[tattoed fish face]

I have wanted dwarf puffers for some time but haven't been able to get hold of any, they have had a beautiful spotted puffer in my lfs so i decided to enquire about him today as i hadn't done as much research, i was told thay can be fin eaters if not feed enough, but that they are not aggressive and wont chase my fish around the tank. i was weary as i have 4 guppys in my tank that have got on perfectly with my green and tiger barbs, however i bought him and decided if he did like the look of my guppys i would remove them to another tank. All has been very peaceful all day, i fed the puffer before releasing him and he hasn't gone anywhere near my guppys. I have fed them all again and when i have turned round he has my albino shark in his mouth and now has eaten the whole of him!!! I was not told that he would eat any fish and am now worried for the rest of my tank including my little plec. Please advise!

 

[-FighterFishh]

I suggest you take him back to your LFS as soon as you can.
Honestly, you shouldn't have bought him. Research your fish before hand and you'll get your stocking right next time

 

[Malawi MaD]

Got another tank to move him to? So you dont risk any of your fish.

 

[tattoed fish face]

thanks guys, i guessed that would be the reply, i always research, i am mad at myself, but also at the shop, however i was warned not to put my barbs with guppys and gouramis and all is happy, but i also have tetras in there and my 2 plecs, dont think he will go near my biggy but not sure of the little one. Lesson learned dont trust what the lfs tells you!!!

 

[Malawi MaD]

thanks guys, i guessed that would be the reply, i always research, i am mad at myself, but also at the shop, however i was warned not to put my barbs with guppys and gouramis and all is happy, but i also have tetras in there and my 2 plecs, dont think he will go near my biggy but not sure of the little one. Lesson learned dont trust what the lfs tells you!!!

Where did you get the fish from?

 

[tattoed fish face]

My local store i have have a few fish from there, their advise has been pretty , good in the past very knowledgeable.
He was very placid in the shop and friendly now he look like hes starving and on the hunt, its very bizzare. his colouring is fine though hes not showing that hes stressed, the shark is the only fish he has bothered at all. My shark was very cocky for a small un though!

 

[Malawi MaD]

My local store i have have a few fish from there, their advise has been pretty , good in the past very knowledgeable.
He was very placid in the shop and friendly now he look like hes starving and on the hunt, its very bizzare. his colouring is fine though hes not showing that hes stressed, the shark is the only fish he has bothered at all. My shark was very cocky for a small un though!

Id remove him still just to be on the safe side as you don't want to wake up tomorrow and see that hes had a go at everything. Will the shop give you a refund or change him for another fish?

 

[tattoed fish face]

Yeah they should do, just got to find somewhere to put him now, hes even eating the waffers for my plecs? Thanks for the advise.

 

[Wills]

As said really inappropriate really These spotted puffers are also brackish fish eventually needing marine conditions. As you have found they can be problematic. Most puffers are to be fair - also not sure if you were planning to but Dwarf Puffers should not be added to that tank either.

Wills

 

[talisker]

green spotted puffers are high end brackish to full marine only they won't fair very well in fresh water and they won't get on with other tank mates unless it's another spotted puffer, i've kept them before and once they have killed and eaten a live fish the others won't be safe.

 

[Hunterprey]

Yeah Puffers are best in a species tank. I'd keep an eye on the Tiger Barbs though as they grow, watch they dont attack your guppies. The Barbs can kill the guppies rather quick. I tried my school of 2 inch Tiger Barbs with my guppies, they went after them right away. I've kept the Barbs succesfully with Gouramis tho.