What Kind Of Puffer Should I Get

[groovitudedude]

Thanks for returning the puffer. And I don't know what you guys are thinking of suggesting 3 DPs for a 10G. I've had one almost kill another in a 10G, and that's just with two!

Keep in mind that just because you may have had problems doesn't make the advice wrong.

Keep in mind that my experience has shown that even just two DPs can show too much aggression for that size tank. I was just pointing that out, dude.

 

[alpha_ralpha]

Ok, just got some figure 8 puffers. I was worried the dwarfs might not eat as I've read that can be a problem. Actually I wanted an amazon puffer but the lfs couldn't get one. He had these and a fugu which is crazy since he knows I have a small tank. Anyhoo, I loaded up the tank with live plants so at least they have area to explore. I've been hearing they do good in pairs of three so that's what I have.
If it turns out to be too many I have a week to return the other two, and this gives me time to see which one I like the most. So far I haven't seen them eat those mealworms but they've only been in there for a couple hours. The spotted puffers immediately ate the mealworms; hopefully these figure 8s will too once they figure it out. They sure do have a different personality than the spotted puffers: these ones are totally staying near the bottom to look for food etc while the gsp went right to the top.
I saw a utube video of a figure 8 eating a mealworm so at least I know it's possible. The main thing is I need a puffer that can handle more of a fresh water environment long term. I mean I'll put some salt in but not so much that it will kill all the freshwater plants I have. Already I can see one is the best: it has nicer markings and is eating the plants and chasing the others around. Now if it would just go eat at the top. These are definitely bottom dwellers arent they? The 3 gsp were top feeders. Oh how complicated...I'll be glad when it's all finished and I can just enjoy them.

 

[jennybugs]

You have 2 F8s in a 10 gallon tank? That size of tank is too small even for one and I'd recommend you take them both back. They won't be happy or remain healthy in a tank that small! 15 gallons for the first fish, an extra ten gallons for each additional fish (30 gallons minimum for a pair) and heavily filtrated at that!

F8s feed all over the tank levels and not just at the bottom.

 

[Snooks1!]

I put 2 tablespoons of aquarium salt, like the box said to so...I have a pleco and catfish in there

Plecs do not need salt in their water, and odds are, neither does the catfish you bought. You're just slowly killing your fish doing that.


Why don't you listen to the advice people are giving you and research the fish you want properly BEFORE you buy them. ugh...

 

[ALEXF]

poor poor fish. this person is making my head hurt. I dont even know that much about fish and i know there are SoOoOoOoOooOoOoooooOOoOoo Many things wrong with this picture...

 

[alpha_ralpha]

Ok, I exchanged two of the puffers for some platys and a gourami. I kept one puffer and am thinking of returning it but it actually seems to be doing ok in there. It doesn't eat the fd insects like the gsp did.

 

[Erised]

Platys and a gourami sound much more suitable for your aquarium =)
While the figure 8 might seem ok right now, there is absolutely no guarantee that he will stay like that. And by the time he starts showing symptoms, it might be too late to help him. Figure 8s require a salt level of around 1.004, in simple words that means a lot more than 2 tablespoons of seasalt (not aquarium salt) per 10G. For my 15G I use just over a cup of salt to get my salt level to that. But please don't go and try to do it without a hydrometer, if you're going to have brackish water you're going to need one of these to tell you the exact SG your water is at.

A 10G isn't really enough for a figure 8 puffer either. I feel guilty keeping mine in a 15G, and as soon as I've got more room I will get him an upgrade.

Try sticking to freshwater fish like the platies for now, you'll probably enjoy livebearers. Before stocking your tank however, read through some of the sections on this forum on cycling your tank for freshwater use. This thread should be able to help you, Cycling Resource Center. A lot of people will probably disagree with me, but as you already have some of the fish I recommend cycling with the fish rather than starting all over with a fishless cycle. But this is ofcourse up to you =)

As for stocking, I don't know much about gouramis so I can not guarantee that you can keep this in your 10G. Try asking for some stocking advice in the 'New to the Hobby' section of the forum.

 

[dem0nz]

after reading this thread i am glad i didnt impulse buy a SA puffer for my 6.6g tank lol

luckily i went home with a betta as i intended

damn puffers look so tempting to inexperienced people like me!!!

although after seeing them feed it did put me off a little,even more now i know those teeth have to be trimmed *shudders*

 

[BecciMac1987]

Urmm yeah can I completely agree, this is insane. Plecs and catfish cannot tolerate salt, so must be kept in freshwater, and if this is a common plec, it is also going to grow huge and needs at least 150l tank (30uk gal). Secondly, I keep two GSP's in a brackish tank with two filters due to the waste, so with a tank as small as yours I hate to think how many water changes you are going to have to do. Thirdly, you MUST have your tank up and running with an SG of 0.015 for at least two weeks with some small fish (mollys would be ideal) to create the bacteria needed and to get the water to the quality that you need to keep the puffers. If you are still going to go ahead with this, RIP little guys.....

 

[Ace Of Spades]

Urmm yeah can I completely agree, this is insane. Plecs and catfish cannot tolerate salt, so must be kept in freshwater, and if this is a common plec, it is also going to grow huge and needs at least 150l tank (30uk gal). Secondly, I keep two GSP's in a brackish tank with two filters due to the waste, so with a tank as small as yours I hate to think how many water changes you are going to have to do. Thirdly, you MUST have your tank up and running with an SG of 0.015 for at least two weeks with some small fish (mollys would be ideal) to create the bacteria needed and to get the water to the quality that you need to keep the puffers. If you are still going to go ahead with this, RIP little guys.....

150L for a common plec? more like 400+ litre or more

What strikes me is that the OP bought a F8 took it back because you guys told him and then went and bought 3 more and pleco's?

I really dont understand you mate?