Ive been keeping marines for about a year or so now and I'd like to get a small puffer for a 38G tank. Ive obviously been looking at info on the Toby/Sharpnose puffers on the internet but TBH I havent exactly found very much good info. I would be very grateful for any help people could offer me on choosing my new puffer based on LOOKS, PERSONALITY, etc.
Could someone also clear up the issue with toxins regarding these smaller species of puffers please? Is it true there is not the same risk of releasing toxins into the system as with the larger species? The reason I ask is the puffer tank will be linked to my other 2 tanks and I dont want to take any chances.
Puffers don't release their toxin into the water, boxfish and cowfish do.
Puffers are only poisonous when they are eaten, and most captive puffers have little to no poison so you won't have to worry.
Have you looked through the pufferpedia? There are quite a few tobies in their, so you can find which one you like best(my favorites are valentini's)All the tobies have very similar care requirements and are all very personable.
Puffers don't release their toxin into the water, boxfish and cowfish do.
Ahh, cheers for clearing that up! I thought this was the case but Ive heard some conflicting info in the past which was has always confused me.
I have indeed had a look through the pufferpedia and found it quite useful. A Valentini is def one of the top contenders on my list, I was just wondering if there was much difference in species personalities etc or are they all fairly similar. Still cant make my mind up yet!!!
Do cow fish actually release their toxins quite often? or is it just a possibility? ive always wondered that, is it like a GSP can puff but never actually does?
60g with 2 angels, 1 yoyo loach, Upside down catfish, Clown Loach, 1 leopard Ctenopoma, 12 black skirt tetras and a L201 Pleco
cobra: Some people have told me they hear lots of stories of them releasing their toxin, other people told me they have never heard of them doing so.
I wouldn't risk it and would only keep them with docile tank mates.
glock:They are all very similar personality wise, you really can't go wrong with any of them!
Puffers such as the blue spotted boxfish, O. Mealgris are the most common ostraciids known for releasing ostracitoxin, others sucyh as the longhorn, helmet, thornback, and cube species rarely if even release the toxin. The thornback species has no documenten releasing of the toxin in the home aquaria.
