Single Puffer

[justinp]

I have a single Green spotted puffer in a 20g. tank. He is by himself and always has been. He is now about two inches long and seems very happy but I cant help but think he is lonely...I have had Puffers in small groups before with not too many problems but never on their own...Does anyone have experience keeping them on their own? Were they happy? Is it too late to add other puffers to the tank? Please let me know what you think...

Thanks

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

I have a single Green spotted puffer in a 20g. tank. He is by himself and always has been. He is now about two inches long and seems very happy but I cant help but think he is lonely...I have had Puffers in small groups before with not too many problems but never on their own...Does anyone have experience keeping them on their own? Were they happy? Is it too late to add other puffers to the tank? Please let me know what you think...

Thanks

I always keep puffers on their own, at least not with other puffers. The one exception I will make to my rule is with Dwarf puffers because of their size. There is a high chance of aggression between puffers that can result in the death of one or both of your fish. As long as you keep your water well maintained and keep the puffer fed properly it should be quite happy on it's own!

The one suggestion I'd make is to start saving for a larger tank for the GSP, they will grow to nearly 6 inches. This may take some time to happen but your fish will seem more happy in a larger tank, I'd reccomend at least 40 US gallons. Also give the fish a bubble wand to play in, they love those!

Good Luck

SLC

 

[justinp]

I have a single Green spotted puffer in a 20g. tank. He is by himself and always has been. He is now about two inches long and seems very happy but I cant help but think he is lonely...I have had Puffers in small groups before with not too many problems but never on their own...Does anyone have experience keeping them on their own? Were they happy? Is it too late to add other puffers to the tank? Please let me know what you think...

Thanks

I always keep puffers on their own, at least not with other puffers. The one exception I will make to my rule is with Dwarf puffers because of their size. There is a high chance of aggression between puffers that can result in the death of one or both of your fish. As long as you keep your water well maintained and keep the puffer fed properly it should be quite happy on it's own!

The one suggestion I'd make is to start saving for a larger tank for the GSP, they will grow to nearly 6 inches. This may take some time to happen but your fish will seem more happy in a larger tank, I'd reccomend at least 40 US gallons. Also give the fish a bubble wand to play in, they love those!

Good Luck

SLC

What other fish have you kept puffers with?

 

[phlawed]

The bubble wand is a good idea, but be ready for salt runners on the equipment if you do this. Its not hard to clean off, but can collect fast if you dont clean it regular.

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

I personally have kept my GSP with scats and mollies. Basically, you should research the growthrates of any fish you house with the puffer so that they don't outgrow it and have it for dinner one day. and you need to find a tankmate that will be able to go to full marine conditions in the future. Scats, Monos, and Mollies are good options. the mollies usually get quite big yet are not a threat to the puffer, Monos and Scats get even bigger so plan on getting a huge tank for them. There are also a few people on this forum who have been experimenting with eels as tankmates, if you try this (I don't reccomend it unless you really know your eels) make sure you get one who won't get too big, and who won't kill your puffer. It is possible that an eel may be the biggest threat to a GSP that you could put into the tank.

I still reccomend keeping them on their own however, the tank size becomes less of an issue. I also notice that when I would place other fish in with the puffer, I found myself neglecting the needs of the other fish. Puffers have a way of taking over all of the fishkeepers attention.

Sorry for the messy reply, hope it helps!

SLC