which puffer to go for...

Dwarf, Red Eye, South American & more. Freshwater puffer talk in here.
NJD
Figure 8 Puffer
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Location (country): UK

which puffer to go for...

Post by NJD »

hi all,

I have one spare tank currently left in my fish room and I really can't decide what type of puffer to go for. The tank is 40 Gal. The fish I currently have available to me are:

Pao Baileyi
Pao Abei
Pao cochinchinensis
Pao Suvatti (tempted having seen the picture of DMD's!!)

I've always had a soft spot for Pao Baileyi, but something tells me if I turn down the Abei's - I may not seem them again in the UK for a very long time where as Baileyi usually come in season once a year...

Any suggestions?? :D
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pufferjw
Green Spotted Puffer
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Striped Redeye Puffer
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Location: Boston/Chicago

Re: which puffer to go for...

Post by pufferjw »

An Abei can fit in like a 20 gallon, but I wouldn't go smaller than a 40 gallon for a Baileyi, so might as well use the room. Plus I think that the Baileyi looks a lot cooler, so that would be my suggestion for you.
220 Gallon - 1 Super White Leopoldi Stingray
55 Gallon Planted - No Fish
29 Gallon Planted - 1 Duboisi Puffer
29 Gallon - 1 Red Congo Puffer
NJD
Figure 8 Puffer
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2018 9:08 am
Location (country): UK

Re: which puffer to go for...

Post by NJD »

Thanks - do you know which tends to be the more active?
PYRU
Figure 8 Puffer
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Re: which puffer to go for...

Post by PYRU »

If it was me I'd get the abei. That's one of my favorite fish I've ever owned. They are hard to come by and often misidentified. I've yet to find another. Id make sure its an abei though

The suvatti is another rare one I've had a hard time finding until a week ago. Looks wicked but pretty inactive. You have to like lurkers to appreciate it. Heres mine if you want to see another one.It came from the same place as dmd
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=37082

I really like the hairy puffer to but I see them a lot more often.
Last edited by PYRU on Sun Oct 14, 2018 6:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
PYRU
Figure 8 Puffer
Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:16 pm
Location (country): USA

Re: which puffer to go for...

Post by PYRU »

NJD wrote: Sun Oct 14, 2018 5:15 pm Thanks - do you know which tends to be the more active?
I'm not sure about the fangs but my old abei was very active. The hairy is more active out of the lurkers from what I've seen.
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Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32764
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Chicago
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Re: which puffer to go for...

Post by Pufferpunk »

I wouldn't go smaller than a 40 gallon for a Baileyi
Really? Mine is a 20g long & never swims around the tank. Heck--he almost never shows his face, unless I toss food in there! Still one of my favorites though...
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
PYRU
Figure 8 Puffer
Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2017 6:16 pm
Location (country): USA

Re: which puffer to go for...

Post by PYRU »

Pufferpunk wrote: Sun Oct 14, 2018 7:43 pm
I wouldn't go smaller than a 40 gallon for a Baileyi
Really? Mine is a 20g long & never swims around the tank. Heck--he almost never shows his face, unless I toss food in there! Still one of my favorites though...
I haven't owned one yet (next yr maybe), but the ones ive seen have been pretty active for a lurker.
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DMD123
Fahaka Puffer
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Joined: Tue May 13, 2014 3:39 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Tetraodon baileyi (Hairy Puffer, named Gizmo)
Location (country): USA
Location: Lakewood, WA

Re: which puffer to go for...

Post by DMD123 »

Ive had my hairy puffer for a few years now and love how active it is with me. Overall lazy when Im out the room but as soon as I enter it turns on the charm.
Image
Im glad it was my first puff. If I started with an arrowhead my feelings might be different. I think the Suvattii hates me, lol

Oh yeah, forgot to mention my hairy is in a 65B and makes pretty good use of the space. Not so much the height but definitely the footprint. I upgraded him from a 40B because he is pretty active.
300g Pearsei x1, Bala Sharks x 3, Dabola endli (Tinkisso river) x1, Ansorgii x1
65B Hairy Puffer
65B Angel fish x1, Monk tetra x7, BN Pleco x2
90G red devil
90G Trimac
46G Bowfront Community tank
30G Growout
NJD
Figure 8 Puffer
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Re: which puffer to go for...

Post by NJD »

I think I'm going to go with Baileyi...

The Abeis that are available a) I'm not 100% sure they are Abei and also b) They didn't look amazing specimens (really dull and faded patterns and super skinny)

I may regret it if i can't get hold of Abei's in the future but we'll see :D

I'll post pictures when it arrives.

Thanks for your advice all.
PYRU
Figure 8 Puffer
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Location (country): USA

Re: which puffer to go for...

Post by PYRU »

NJD wrote: Mon Oct 15, 2018 8:10 am I think I'm going to go with Baileyi...

The Abeis that are available a) I'm not 100% sure they are Abei and also b) They didn't look amazing specimens (really dull and faded patterns and super skinny)

I may regret it if i can't get hold of Abei's in the future but we'll see :D

I'll post pictures when it arrives.

Thanks for your advice all.
Nice choice.

Those target puffer types can be tricky especially when stressed and very few importers get it right from what I've seen
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DMD123
Fahaka Puffer
Posts: 573
Joined: Tue May 13, 2014 3:39 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Tetraodon baileyi (Hairy Puffer, named Gizmo)
Location (country): USA
Location: Lakewood, WA

Re: which puffer to go for...

Post by DMD123 »

NJD wrote: Mon Oct 15, 2018 8:10 am I think I'm going to go with Baileyi...

The Abeis that are available a) I'm not 100% sure they are Abei and also b) They didn't look amazing specimens (really dull and faded patterns and super skinny)

I may regret it if i can't get hold of Abei's in the future but we'll see :D

I'll post pictures when it arrives.

Thanks for your advice all.
Very Nice! Cant wait to see pics!
300g Pearsei x1, Bala Sharks x 3, Dabola endli (Tinkisso river) x1, Ansorgii x1
65B Hairy Puffer
65B Angel fish x1, Monk tetra x7, BN Pleco x2
90G red devil
90G Trimac
46G Bowfront Community tank
30G Growout
NJD
Figure 8 Puffer
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2018 9:08 am
Location (country): UK

Re: which puffer to go for...

Post by NJD »

He’s coming this Thursday hopefully:-D I’m just rescaping the tank as we speak!!
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DMD123
Fahaka Puffer
Posts: 573
Joined: Tue May 13, 2014 3:39 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Tetraodon baileyi (Hairy Puffer, named Gizmo)
Location (country): USA
Location: Lakewood, WA

Re: which puffer to go for...

Post by DMD123 »

NJD wrote: Mon Oct 15, 2018 5:00 pm He’s coming this Thursday hopefully:-D I’m just rescaping the tank as we speak!!
My tank is gravel with a few large rocks, driftwood and artificial plants... granted they are good looking fake plants but still fakes.

What is your scape like? Are you doing live plants?
300g Pearsei x1, Bala Sharks x 3, Dabola endli (Tinkisso river) x1, Ansorgii x1
65B Hairy Puffer
65B Angel fish x1, Monk tetra x7, BN Pleco x2
90G red devil
90G Trimac
46G Bowfront Community tank
30G Growout
User avatar
Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32764
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: which puffer to go for...

Post by Pufferpunk »

I do find it odd that the hairy fellows don't burrow like all the other ambush predators.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
NJD
Figure 8 Puffer
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2018 9:08 am
Location (country): UK

Re: which puffer to go for...

Post by NJD »

I’ve opted for sand given they are lurkers.

I’ve also ordered a job lot of plastic plants which I’ll add tomorrow hopefully once the cloudiness from the new sand settles!! I also have a load of rocks currently in another tank to add.

I’ll add a photo once it’s all set up.

I’ve learnt recently that good fake plants are a better solution for me. Whilst you don’t get the added filtration of having live plants, the
Time I was spending looking after the live plants has freed up time to do more water changes and other maintenance..
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