T.Miurius, 20 gal

lisalisa · Post by **lisalisa** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:21 pm

I was wondering how long a red congo could live in a 20 gal tank without becoming stunted? Pufferlist says 29 gal minimum for an adult, which makes me think I may have some time...any thoughts?

Post by **RTR** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:41 pm

Your timing would be to 1/2 adult size (~3"), but upgrading sooner is much better. We really don't know enough about stunting in puffers to comfortable with setting good guidelines. Personally I prefer to start the fish (commonly after QT, but sometimes including QT) in their permanent home.

I did start my Palembang's puffer in a 20-long QT, but immediately added a 15-gallon veggie filters connected to it with constant water exchange between the two. That fish had to be separately QT'd, as the permanent home was to be a 40 in my circulating range/central system, and nothing goes in there without extended QT. The extra water volume if nothing else made care easier.

BTW, a 30-long would be better for the fish than a 29. It is longer while less deep. These are substrate-associated fish, not water column swimmers such as SAPs, F-8s, and GSPs

lisalisa · Post by **lisalisa** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:46 pm

I have always given my puffers thier first and only home, I don't like the idea of moving them much. I havn't purchased the congo yet, it's just that I have a good 20 gal long sitting at home i thought I could use for him for a while. In the 20 would the issue be stunting, water quality or both? Just curious.

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:19 pm

20 long has the same footprint as a 29g. Large enough for an adult muirus, in my book.

Post by **RTR** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 9:47 pm

For me it would do to to start, but I would never keep a 5-6" puffer, even a relatively inactive one, in 17 gallons or less of water for a life cycle. The nominal size of a 20-long and its reality are as bad as the nominal 55s, both grossly overestimated. But that is personal opinion and personal choice.

Rocker · Post by **Rocker** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 4:14 am

RTR wrote:For me it would do to to start, but I would never keep a 5-6" puffer, even a relatively inactive one, in 17 gallons or less of water for a life cycle. The nominal size of a 20-long and its reality are as bad as the nominal 55s, both grossly overestimated. But that is personal opinion and personal choice.

Agreed.

I have the rule with puffers - if I can't house it properly now then I probably never will - leave it at the LFS!. Harsh but its like waiting for the winning lottery ticket.It might happen but more likely it won't.
I have the opportunity to purchase a T.pustalatus.I have plenty of spare tanks for a 1" specimen but I don't think I'll ever have room to house a full grown one.I'll have to pass on it this time.

Feathers&Fins · Post by **Feathers&Fins** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 7:27 am

Pufferpunk wrote:20 long has the same footprint as a 29g. Large enough for an adult miurus, in my book.

My T.miurus are in 20g longs. One is ~3" and the other is ~1.25". The tanks have an AC300 HOB and AC150 HOB, respectively, and I do large water changes every week. The 3" Congo packs quite the bio-load so I can't slack off the water changes. Mine will most definitely need a larger tank or a larger filter before they are full grown. (Note: my little one hasn't grown much since his near-death encounter with the Python hose. I'm wondering if it is a result of his injuries or if T.miurus are slow growers).

lisalisa · Post by **lisalisa** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:59 pm

Rocker wrote: I have the rule with puffers - if I can't house it properly now then I probably never will - leave it at the LFS!.

I hope you're not misunderstanding my intentions...it's not that i can't get bigger tank, I'm just wonder what your guys opinion are if I should get a bigger tank. If the general consensus is go bigger, than i shall do!

Rocker · Post by **Rocker** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 2:18 pm

IMO go bigger. Mine is in a 40UKG and needs all that space. The three I have had have been very active.

lisalisa · Post by **lisalisa** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 11:00 pm

I got my red congo today!! and I bought a 40 gallon standard tank for him. I used substrate and filter from a running tank. So excited!!

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 11:25 pm

Any sand in there? They need to burrow.

lisalisa · Post by **lisalisa** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 11:44 pm

yes, I have 5 inches of smallish grained red gravel..this is ok, right? Gosh he's so cute, only 2.5 inches not including tail.

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 12:21 am

Not sure if it's "light" enough to burrow in or not.

lisalisa · Post by **lisalisa** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 12:28 am

hmm... I'll keep in eye on and see what happens...he seems partially 'sunk' in right now..I'll give him a few days.

lisalisa · Post by **lisalisa** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 12:53 am

just thought I'd let you know...I just went to check on my new guy, and he's buried up to his eyeballs!! what a neat fish...

I'm sure this is a silly question, but, pufferpunk your T. Miurus is the redest (a word?) one I've ever seen..is there anything special you've done to get punkster so vibrant?

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T.Miurius, 20 gal

T.Miurius, 20 gal