New Fahaka Owner - Advice Wanted

[kingfisherfleshy]

Alright guys.

Im gearing up to try the fahaka thing again, this time as a personal pet - so he will have my constant observation and care...as opposed to the last time where the puffer was at my lab, and I was gone for 17 days in LA.

Just wondering what exact medication I should have on hands so that one this guy is in QT I can treat for internals immediately.

What foods do you recommend soaking in the medicine?

I havent fully decided if Im going the fahaka route, I have a 100g setup right now, trying to get a 120g set up as well for the next phase as well.

I have a couple other fish setups Im considering, but I have never done the large puffer thing and would really like to.

Thanks again

[kingfisherfleshy]

Couple other questions.

Do you think that water hyacinth could be grown on the surface?

How about having the tank be bare bottom? Im a fan of it - especially with how I would love to do frequent h2o changes with my new puffer if that is the route I decide to go. Please let me know, thanks again.

[bertie 83]

Bare bottom tanks are not puffer friendly. Please do not do this

[kingfisherfleshy]

I understand that with puffers that burry themselves, but do Fahakas?

Please answer my questions from the previous post as well.

[Arny]

I understand that with puffers that burry themselves, but do Fahakas?

Yes fahakas love to bury themselves

[PolishPuff]

My Fahaka ( 6-7 inch ) still buries it self. Even in some spots in my tank where there is low sand.

[Pufferpunk]

If you try for growing a pond plant, you'll still have to cover the tank or your puffer will jump out, so that means lowering the water level. Doable on a larger tank, I suppose...

I'd keep at least Jungle Parasite Clear & Melafix on hand.

[scpion]

I have tried growing water hyacinth in my tank before. Not a good idea.. Its just not suitable for indoor.. Even under strong light. They just turn black. The bulbs and leaves will eventually go below surface and start to rot.. Not to mention they usually carry many bugs along with them due to the very dense roots. Even after thorough rinsing..

[kingfisherfleshy]

Maybe water lettuce then. Tank will be covered. Would play sand work? How deep?

[kingfisherfleshy]

If you try for growing a pond plant, you'll still have to cover the tank or your puffer will jump out, so that means lowering the water level. Doable on a larger tank, I suppose...

I'd keep at least Jungle Parasite Clear & Melafix on hand.

Tell me exactly how I should go about using those medicines.

[bertie 83]

Jungle parasite should be added to the food, melafix aids the skin healing.

[scpion]

Water lettuce didn't work either... They rot even faster... But they did grow out baby runners. But somehow the baby ones stay small but branch out alot.. My tank is almost covered with the baby ones. Maybe that's just me...

[kingfisherfleshy]

Strange. I used to grow the "red root floaters" with a lot of sucess and was selling lots of them over on the planted tank forum.

We will see, I would like some floaters.

The tank Im getting now it looks like is 48"x30"x24" - 150g which should be okay for a fahaka I think.

[bertie 83]

Sounds good. Is it 30ins front to back or tall?

[kingfisherfleshy]

Its 24" tall.

I like the added depth for them in this situation...I still realize however its cutting it close, but this tank should make the minimum I feel.

Got some snails the other day - just threw them in an old planted tank.

Still not sure if Im going to go the puffer route, but that was a step in the right direction. Hopefully I get the guys to breed soon.

Does anyone keep dither fish in with their puffers? Or anything? I feel as if a tank this large with only one fish might be a little lonely looking.