We usually have puffers. (T. Nigroviridis, T. Biocellatus and C. Travancoricus).
Yes, you, me and every other self respecting puffer nut knows C. Travancoricus is not brackish - I finally managed to get the boss to put them in FW tanks.
My problems begin about two and a half months ago. My boss, for reasons unknown to me, decided to jump on a deal from DAP (fish company up here in Canada) As advertised in the fish list "XL Double Saddleback Puffers............. $19.99 (Very Nice!)"
So, later that week, the fish order arrived just about the same time I got to work. Being the 'Fish Guy' they had me unpack the orders (Mollies... meh, *more* Platties!!? WTH do we need with another Polypterus Senegalus??!!) In the middle of unpacking the order, I notice two very large fish with that distinctive grey, black and orange pattern. Thankfully, the boss was not around, nor was the assistant manager or any customers, i believe i stated my surprise in a rather obscene manner, something like "No <expletive deleted>ing way". I look at the sort list and pop them into one of the brackish tanks.
So, off to the front desk, onto the net and yep, it's T. Ocellatus alright.
Meanwhile, the slightly larger of the two gave a 'nuts to this' and had bulled it's way out of the transport bag..... I almost crapped bricks, but it was none the worse for wear.
So, fast-forward two weeks, and I've finally convinced the boss to let me spike some crickets with Prazi (despite the fact they're in with a freakin 8" Archer and two large monos!!!). So i feed the spiked crickets, get them both de-wormed and they start eating regularly again. Crap out a few worms too.
So... Fast-forward about two months, and here I am. They're both healthy as I can keep them, I get to give them bi-daily 20% water changes and they're gonna rot in a freaking overcrowded 20g tank until they either die or go home with some idiot who thinks they can fit in a 20g for the rest of their natural lives. Disgusting.
Even worse, the boss has admitted his mistake and thinks it's appropriate to 'give a discount' to me to take them home.
So, on to the questions.
1. Temperature: They're in a tank at roughly 25*C-26*C. My understanding is that while they are very tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, as sub-tropical near-marine fish, they prefer temperatures under 22*C. Some research has indicated that their ideal range is between 16*C and 21*C. The low range seems a bit cold to me, any chance someone can confirm on the rest.
Other research indicates that keeping them at tropical temperatures (24*C and up) is what causes the stress which eventually makes them stop eating, any truth to this?
2. Tank Size: I hate to say it... but how bad would it be to have ONE in a 33g (36"Lx12"Wx18"H)?
I know the listed minimum is a 55G and that for swimming room, that would be the ideal minimum; i'm not debating the listed minimum. But I need to know, if I do get asked to take one home, would it be able to live happily at around 4.5" in length in a 33g until I can find a larger tank, or is that just forcing it into a slightly larger slow death?
Finally.
Sub-tropical and near marine. That spells out to me a PH of around 8 and an SG of 1.012-1.018. Ideally using marine mix to achieve those parameters. Is that more or less correct? They're currently in a tank at around 1.006-1.008 (depending on which idiot did the water change last, it's not always me
) and they are sitting at a PH of around 7.6.I hate the fact that my employer has ordered in an animal that they did not know how to care for. I hate that they are making me even consider keeping an animal in less-than-ideal conditions. But I refuse to stand by and allow it to suffer if I can do any more to help it...
Plus the little bugger tries to bite me when i'm cleaning its tank. It's rather endearing (and painful!)
