SAP Newbie Questions

[Ulysees]

Hello,

I have a 180l eheim tank setup, running for 6 months heavily planted with 7 cardinal tetras, 4 ottos and 3 hatchet fish.
It has a external filter, sand and gravel mix substrate. It has a tetratec ex700, and some powerheads to keep the flow high.

I have been researching SAP's. I've read they can be kept in a community tank and would like to get a good shoal if possible.
Based on what I have how many SAP's do you think i should try and get? At the moment I'm thinking 5, is this too much? or would they display more natural behaviour in a larger group of say 7?

I'm pretty settled on SAP's. I've previously had a very short attemp at puffer keeping three years ago. I was sold a three baby GSP's, I was told they were dwarf puffers from my local fish shop. That's what i wanted to buy.
But after a quick google search realised the mistake! After beating the LFS owner with a stick, (metaphorically of course) I settled on getting a refund and some free ottos.
They were very cool fish, but, I think SAP's may work well in my setup, may need help with dentistry though!


All comments welcome.
P.S. Great site and Forum

[puffertt77]

Hey Ulysees

Your tank holds 47.5usG, going by the Pufferpedia that would mean you can have 3 SAP's in that tank (15usG each). The fact that you already have fish in there I wouldn't go for any more than this. I think you should be fine with just 3 as your other fish aren't thew kind of fish that have a big waste output/bio load.

Just keep an eye on your water perametres and do weekly water changes of 30%/50%

[yunachin]

There are articles on dentistry here in the library as well as other great articles to look at for information. Welcome to the forum.

[Bogwoodbruce]

Like puffertt said id personally go for 3 or 4, if you plan to upgrade id go for more, they are great fish! They are communal but there maybe an odd one or two that might nip a little.

[LilGreenPuffer]

I would go with no more than three, considering that you already have several other fish, and probably no less than three, either, since they really like to live in shoals. Welcome!

[lobowind]

[quote="puffertt77"]
Your tank holds 47.5usG, going by the Pufferpedia that would mean you can have 3 SAP's in that tank (15usG each). [quote]

I just want to double check something.....I thought I read that with SAP's, calculate 15 gallons for the first fish and 10 gallons/fish for the rest? Does this sound familiar with anyone else?

[Bogwoodbruce]

Your tank holds 47.5usG, going by the Pufferpedia that would mean you can have 3 SAP's in that tank (15usG each).

I just want to double check something.....I thought I read that with SAP's, calculate 15 gallons for the first fish and 10 gallons/fish for the rest? Does this sound familiar with anyone else?

Sounds familar to me, not heard it about puffers but have heard similar things about other species i.e. discus where its say 20 gal for the first and 15gal for either other after etc...

[LilGreenPuffer]

Your tank holds 47.5usG, going by the Pufferpedia that would mean you can have 3 SAP's in that tank (15usG each).

I just want to double check something.....I thought I read that with SAP's, calculate 15 gallons for the first fish and 10 gallons/fish for the rest? Does this sound familiar with anyone else?

I thought that was for F8's. It doesn't say anything about that in the PufferPedia for either fish, though.

[Myaj]

15 for the first and 10 for each additional is a pretty good baseline for both SAP's and Figure 8 puffers, the difference is that SAP's are extremely active and a larger footprint is preferred.. where Figure 8 puffers are more of the explore around type of fish that doesn't really care if its swimming long distances or weaving up and down exploring..

[Ulysees]

Hello, Thanks for the huge response.
I'm just wondering round the site and in the puffer library there is an article
The Nice Puffer: Colomesus asellus, the South American Puffer
Author: Neale Monks


"a pack of half a dozen specimens would look great in a 125-180 litre/33-44 gallon tank."

I find this quite suprising given the response on the forum?
I think i got the idea of 6 for my 180l from an old complete guide to tropical fish I had lying around. Which is often out of date.

Is this article out of date, and possibly inaccurate? Please dont flame me...
Or is this just the authors own feelings about stocking?

At the moment I'm thinking 3 or 4, (not 6). Although I do like the idea of six.
I'd like to play it safe.

[lilgirlkat]

I would have to assume the article is referring to a species only tank.. since you have other fish that need the water, people are suggesting fewer SAPs.

[Polkadotpuffer]

Hello People need a bit of help?!
1. Is a month long enough to have a freshwater 30gal tank set up to add 2 new SAP's?
2. I live near liverpool in the UK, does anyone know where they are sold quite near there?
3. Do you think dwarf puffers will be eaten if put in with them?
4. What type of chiclids can i put in with them, or any other fish?

HELP...... :/

[LilGreenPuffer]

Hello People need a bit of help?!
1. Is a month long enough to have a freshwater 30gal tank set up to add 2 new SAP's?
2. I live near liverpool in the UK, does anyone know where they are sold quite near there?
3. Do you think dwarf puffers will be eaten if put in with them?
4. What type of chiclids can i put in with them, or any other fish?

HELP...... :/

Hi! It's generally considered impolite to post on other people's threads like that. You need to start a new topic. I'll PM you the answers to your questions, as much as I know, but go ahead and start your own thread so that you can get more answers, since I can't claim to provide all of yours.

[Ulysees]

It'll be three.

Now I've got to consider floating plants from the amazon and increasing flow in the tank and then getting the fish.

Thanks all for the responses, really helpful advice!