Thinking about getting a fahaka.

[raymgnz]

I've had GSP's in the past and really loved them. The salt is what killed me. Not the work involed but the expense. I've been reaserching the fahaka and really think I'm gonna get one. I have a 120 with: 2 xp3's, a magnum 350(I use for mech. filtr), and an ac 110. Black sand and drift wood. Does this sound like a good setup?

I could not find info on life span. How long is the average? Also I realize they are very aggressive and do not tolerate tank mates. Has anyone had success with tankmates? If so what kind.

[crazedpuffer]

Pufferpunk has. And Yunachin has had limited success.
I'd go for it, just make sure to get lots of plants (he might tear up fake ones though)

[Hilly]

Pufferpunk has. And Yunachin has had limited success.
I'd go for it, just make sure to get lots of plants (he might tear up fake ones though)

She has several fish with her Fahaka, remember seeing her list around here somewhere.

You will most likely have success with fast moving fish.
Your setup sounds fine.

[raymgnz]

Thanks for the replys. I would love to have real plants. My cichlids never allowed me to have them. If It doesn't work with tank mates I'm ok with that.

[crazedpuffer]

Your Fahaka might not let you either.

[Agnate]

I think you'd be better off trying tank mates when he's nice and little (assuming he goes right into the 120 gallon). That way they can partially establish territory, and he'll be used to them in his tank when he gets older.

I'm just making some deductions, though, so don't quote me on that.

[bigjon23]

That tank sounds great for a fahaka. I had driftwood in my fahaka tank and it leaked tannins into the water and turned it kinda of brownish. I finally just took it out and puts some river rock in.

On the tankmates, I have a 9 inch fahaka that I got when he was about 1.5 inches. I have 2 siamese algae eaters and a red tailed shark in with him. He has never tried to eat them. When I feed the tank, they all go for the food and the fahaka will just take the food and swim away to eat it. I do feed him every other day though. So I dont know if he tolerates them because he is well fed. When I do put in live crabs or shrimp he will devour them as the predator he is, so I ultimately think he just likes his friends in there. It is a such a benefit though because the algae and left over food is consumed by the other fish.

I have never tried real plants witht he fahaka. I do have real plants in with my palembangensis and he is always biting the stem in half. Its really frustrating and I will probably just put in fake plants. Good luck with your fahaka.

[raymgnz]

Thanks. I'm okay with it being the only tank mate if it won't tolerate them. They are a little hard to find(I'm in Philadelphia). I've seen one at big als in norristown but it looked like it had internal parasites the way its belly was sunken in.

[yunachin]

Fahakas are great puffers. I have 2 (once 3) patatilapia bleekeri with him right now. He is about 4 inches long now, but was 2 when I introduced him. The bleekeri were much bigger than he was but within a couple of days he annihilated one of them. It was the smallest of the 3 though. Now there is an understanding, they stay as far away from him as possible especially when it is dinner time. And he leaves them alone because he is slow as molasses now that he is spoiled.
As for the plants, I had lots of plants in with him until he started ripping them out of the substrate. I then just moved them into the dwarf puffer tank to save face because for some reason all of my puffers like salads.

[raymgnz]

I've never been able to have plants in my tank so it won't be a change for me. Right now I just have to decide what to do with my Pimelodus blochii cat fish. He's in the 120 now and why too peaceful to be put in my other tank with my jag and oscar. The jag is a mean SOB. I just sold my 55gal setup; which would be perfect for him. I'm regretting it now.

[pufferfreak]

Try e-bay. they ave lots of setups for sale. cheap too.