My first puffer!

[socalsprinter]

Been wanting a figure 8 for awhile and finally decided a few weeks ago to surprise my wife with one for mother's day(she adores puffers)! I picked her up today and my 3 year old named her Daisy. She is happily swimming around a 20 gallon tank with a SG of 1.06.


I managed to get her to hold still for a second to snap couple shots!

[Flutter]

She's adorable

[sgtmyers88]

Wow what a cutie!

[socalsprinter]

She is still doing great. Gave her a piece of krill and she was nearly doing back flips in the tank. She also promptly destroyed a snail in there.

[bertie 83]

Try not to Feed too much krill, has been linked to lockjaw. Nice puffer

[socalsprinter]

Try not to Feed too much krill, has been linked to lockjaw. Nice puffer

I had read about that they are ok on occasion though right? On the subject of feeding I know puffers beg constantly for food but how often should they be fed? Once a day? Bloodworms are ok for daily feeding right?

[El Scorpio]

I would avoid freeze dried krill entirely. Bloodworms are probably okay as a supplement, but really she needs something with a shell on it. Look for some frozen mysis shrimp at your LFS, she'll love it.

Try not to Feed too much krill, has been linked to lockjaw. Nice puffer

I had read about that they are ok on occasion though right? On the subject of feeding I know puffers beg constantly for food but how often should they be fed? Once a day? Bloodworms are ok for daily feeding right?

[socalsprinter]

I would avoid freeze dried krill entirely. Bloodworms are probably okay as a supplement, but really she needs something with a shell on it. Look for some frozen mysis shrimp at your LFS, she'll love it.

Try not to Feed too much krill, has been linked to lockjaw. Nice puffer

I had read about that they are ok on occasion though right? On the subject of feeding I know puffers beg constantly for food but how often should they be fed? Once a day? Bloodworms are ok for daily feeding right?

Thanks for the info. The krill was frozen.

[Pufferpunk]

Krill is fine to add to their variety. Just be sure to mix it up. I like FD plankton, too.

[bertie 83]

Just feed until their tummy is slightly rounded.

[Nuclear_Glitter]

I recommend breeding snails. Ramshorn and pond are the best, but don't do it together.

[socalsprinter]

Just a quick update and a question. Daisy is still doing great and my wife and daughter are absolutely in love with her. I have never had a fish with soo much personality. She always greets us when we come home and loves to eat from my hand(well finger). From the advice the krill has been turned into a treat and mysis shrimp( and the occasional snail) is her current regular food but I am looking for other options to change it up a bit.

I do have one quick question is there any kind of clean up crew that will work in .08 brackish? Starting to get some brown algae and would love not to have to scrub it with a tooth brush. Maybe a larger snail?

[Nuclear_Glitter]

You may want to consider lowering that salinity. Figure 8's do good at 1.005. It would be less expensive because you'd be using less salt. As far as the algae goes, you should try getting your parameters in perfect balance, because that may get rid of it. You could try some very large snails such as mystery snails, but be prepared for them to die. The problem with such large snails is they stick more of their foot out, so it's easier for the puffer to get a hold of it easier. It may live long enough to clean the tank up some though.

Also, I would recommend more snails in your puffers diet.

[Pufftastic]

A freshwater snail wouldn't be happy and might not survive long in brackish water. And I can't imagine my own F8 not hassling a snail non-stop, regardless of its size. The moment that snail peeks out of its shell, it's going to be nibbled.

There really aren't any good "cleaner-uppers" that are compatible with F8s, at least in terms of eating algae. Some people have had success keeping bumblebee gobies with their F8s, and the BBGs will usually eat stray food bits left behind by the much messier puffer, which can help you maintain good water quality (although they need to be fed their own food as well, of course). But none of the usual algae lovers (plecos, otos, etc.) would do well in brackish water.

Daisy is CUTE! She looks TINY.

[Nuclear_Glitter]

A freshwater snail wouldn't be happy and might not survive long in brackish water. And I can't imagine my own F8 not hassling a snail non-stop, regardless of its size. The moment that snail peeks out of its shell, it's going to be nibbled.

There really aren't any good "cleaner-uppers" that are compatible with F8s, at least in terms of eating algae. Some people have had success keeping bumblebee gobies with their F8s, and the BBGs will usually eat stray food bits left behind by the much messier puffer, which can help you maintain good water quality (although they need to be fed their own food as well, of course). But none of the usual algae lovers (plecos, otos, etc.) would do well in brackish water.

Daisy is CUTE! She looks TINY.

Thank you for pointing out the fact a FW snail wouldn't do well in brackish! That totally flew right over my head.