Question about suvatti/arrowhead

[The Fisherman]

Hi,
I am still looking into getting a suvatti, and i had a few questions.
Do they require a sand subtstrate, or is gravel ok?
would a emperor 280 filter be enough filtration.( given excelent care as well )

How deep does the substrate have to be?

My LFS didnt have any Of the names that i found on the web on their list of fish they can order, does anyone know any of the rarer common names?

here is what i told my LFS: Suvatti, arrowhead, pig-nose,hog-nose, mekong.

I could try and get a list of all their puffers that they can order, but the only ones i remember are: Mirius,Mbu, fahaka, red-eyed, south american banded, spotted, figure-eight, and target.

most of these common names were a bit off from the real name, but i have never heard of a mirius before????



thanks

[RTR]

T. miurus, aka the Congo puffer is quite popular, several members have them, some have the more uncommon "red" form. It is another lurker-predator, a bit smaller than the pig-nosed, or the Palembang's. Search on "Congo" here for posts and pics, and on T. miurus. See also the Puffer List: http://www.pufferlist.com/

[The Fisherman]

The mirius looks very intresting, and since my LFS can order them regularly, I think ill get one.

Would gravel subtstrate be OK, or do i have to get sand so they can burrow down?

How agressive are they? would i have contain the puffer while doing tank maintenance, to not run the risk of being injured? Are they actually powerfull enough to remove a finger? ( sorry if thats a stupid question)

thanks

[RTR]

Considering puffer's incisors, it is not a stupid question at all. My alpha male fahaka was the only fish that I have kept on which I was physically afraid - he attacked anything that went into the tank. To work on the tank, I slid in a strong divider (track braced with massive rockwork), with him on one side and me on the other. I value my fingers and do not need or want any emergency surgery on my hands or arms.

The lurkers in the wild are more crustacean and fish eaters than mollusk eaters, so lack the jaws and incisors of the puffers which crush bivalves and snails for lunch. But they are quite accomplished biters - which means for me that tank work is done after feeding, when they have retired to their refuge. I watch and respect them, but do not fear them.

I am peculiar about sand. and fight very hard against using it. My Fahakas (which bury themselves when young and small) and my Palembang's (which do not bury themselves or I have never observed such) tanks are or were gravel. The pignose I kept for a time was on sand, but it over an over-engineered RFUG setup, and I did not keep it going for years as I do most setups, so I can't draw any long-term conclusions. A similar setup (originally for flounders, later F-8s) was kept going long-term, but the sand was much thinner if a bit finer (probably ~ 1.5" deep vs. 3-4" for the pignose).

[Rocker]

For a T.miurus I would recommend sand.

[The Fisherman]

Thanks RTR, I will definitely remember to feed the puffer before tank maintenance.


can I use play sand? ( its a lot cheaper then the 40$ bags of sand at my LFS)

how deep should it be?

[Rocker]

Sand depth - I usually make it deep enough just to cover the depth of thier body.
As for puffers attacking - I find they will only go for me if i dangle a finger at the surface whether intentionally or accidental. If I put my whole hand in they just ignore it!

[The Fisherman]

Ok, i think ill go with a 4" deep bed of play sand. Planted with anachris and other plants, and rocks.

[Rocker]

4" is probably too deep, I would say 1 1/2 " - (one and a half inches max)

[susiejames101]

My Congo puffer lives most of his days buried in his sand, I think he would be a very unhappy puffer in gravel!! He attacks shrimp and snails if he is in the mood but has never attacked my fingers, he just peers at me from under the sand when I am doing tank maintenance, in fact he looks a bit like a crocodile with just 2 eyes peeking out lol
He was our first puffer but we son got hooked and now have a F8 and 3 dwarf puffers too, all lovely fishes, all very different and all very precious

Sue

[Feathers&Fins]

As for puffers attacking - I find they will only go for me if i dangle a finger at the surface whether intentionally or accidental. If I put my whole hand in they just ignore it!

My experience as well. Both of my Congos bury themselves in the sand — my young adult moreso than the my little juvenile.

I prefer the Tahitian Moon sand manufactured by CaribSea. IME, the larger grain size makes it easier to clean and keep out of the filter. I also keep a powerhead sponge over the filter intake to keep the sand out. (The bigger guys can kick up quite a bit of sand when the bury themselves).

Post pics when you get your new guy!

[The Fisherman]

Would the sand that is used in a swimming pool filter be OK? It has a larger grain size then play sand, but im not sure if theres something "bad" about it, for aquariums.

for filtration i will be using a Emperor 280. To help keep sand out, im not quite clear on what you mean, do you put a sponge right inside the intake tube?

I also plan on using Live plants.


thanks for everyones help!
I will try my best to post a pic of him when i do get him, but my digital cameras acting kinda weird...

-John

[RTR]

Go to Quaid's post:

http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/vie ... highlight=

Look at the second picture (click on the thumbnail to maximize) and note the sponge where the filter intake grid would normally be at the base of the intake tube. That is the use being discussed.

I use a lot of Filtermax prefilters for similar use. They come with a variety of tubing adapters, which makes my life easier.

[The Fisherman]

Ok, i finally got the old tank stripped down, and am getting ready to start setting up for the Miurus.

Ive never dealt with sand before, and i was wondering, at what point of tank set-up do i add the sand? Do i fill up the tank, dump in the sand, and start the filter?

[Rocker]

It depends on how you are cycling the tank.If you can add the sand first, then add the water, let the sand settle then add the filter.