Hello Everyone! I'm new to the Puffer Forums and It's my very first post. So I have a tank That I think is set to add fish already: It's a 20 Gallon Long Fish Tank (30'' X 11'') and I was wondering if i can get Figure 8 Puffer fish from my LFS and add it to my tank and if so, How many are appropriate for the size of my tank? It's been about a month or so that my Tank has been fish less cycling and the test show 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and below 20 nitrates with water temperature of about 79 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The water is currently fresh water with intent to raise the salinity to brackish water as I understand Figure 8's are brackish water fish. So what do you guys think...Is it ready? Any Tips if so?
I am really new to puffers myself but the general consensus I got on Figure 8s (correct me if wrong anyone!) is that the first will need 15 gallons and the second is 10 gallons. So the tank itself may be a tiny bit on the small side. The nitrates, ammonia,etc all seem to be good from what I can tell. In terms of the brackish water for your Figure of 8s that is correct, but I would check with the LFS what they are keeping them in. Some have them in freshwater to begin with and you may need to dripfeed them to the correct brackish salinity over time.
Have you read Puffpedia on thme for the info ( I have it is excellent!!) Here is the F8 link direct:
Yes it seems like your tank is good to go. Just keep your nitrates under 20 and you will be ok. With that tank size you can do 1 figure 8. Slowly raise your sg by .002 each week, figure 8's need an sg between 1.005 - 1.008. Take your time and don't rush it. Use marine salt not aquairum salt and get a hydrometer that starts at 1.000. When you get your new pal don't forget to post pictures.
How many are you planning on... you could probably keep 2 in that 20 gallon for about 8 months... but i would recommend getting a 30 gallon asap... that is if you want 2 of them.
or you could just get one and about 6 BBGs. That is always a good looking tank. and have some hiding places in there for them, and some plants... real or fake, but real ones dont often do too well in backish tanks.
hope some of this helped with the questions. Also as lilcamy said, check out the pufferpedia.
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
yea, bumble bee gobies... they are fun to watch too, and they stay small, under an inch and a half. they will also pick up alot of leftovers from your puffer.
Here's a pic i got off the net of one:
Brachygobius_nanus.jpg
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hardwater plants tend to do well in brackish water but once you get above 1.005 most will struggle.
Bumbleebee gobies and figure 8's will be fine at lower salinities. Maintain them at around 1.005 and fluctuate up and down 0.002 every now and then, if you choose to go with live plants then you will probably find yourself dropping down more than up to give them a boost.
Both species are mainly found in freshwater in the wild but prefer brackish conditions in an aquarium.
So I have a tank That I think is set to add fish already: It's a 20 Gallon Long Fish Tank (30'' X 11'') and I was wondering if i can get Figure 8 Puffer fish from my LFS and add it to my tank and if so, How many are appropriate for the size of my tank? It's been about a month or so that my Tank has been fish less cycling and the test show 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and below 20 nitrates with water temperature of about 79 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The water is currently fresh water with intent to raise the salinity to brackish water as I understand Figure 8's are brackish water fish. So what do you guys think...Is it ready? Any Tips if so?
