looking for a puffer for a 38gal tank, and have MTS question

[plec123]

Ive been interested in puffers for a while now, but i was never able to provide a supply of snails for them. Now, i have a population of MTS on my 38gal!

My first question is, will a puffer eat MTS and will the MTS provide an adequate source of "shelled food" to keep the puffer's teeth down, without the puffer eating all of the MTS? (that way there are always snails in the tank for the puffer to eat)

If the answer to that question is yes, then, i'm going to need help picking out a puffer!

here's my tank:
38gal freshwater:
filter- ac110
plants- crypts, anubias nana
decor- driftwood/bogwood
temp- 78-81˚F
pH- 6.4-6.8
fish- 1 angel
1 ruby shark
1 BN plec
1 clown plec
1 whiptail cat
1 swordtail
small group of red & blue Colombian tetras

the puffers ive been most interested in are: dwarf, South American, bronze, golden, and arrowhead.
would any of these suit my tank? if not, what species should i get?

[Lil' Swimz$]

Your tank is already stocked well, especially with that angel. I don't think any puffer is good for your tank, but maybe a dwarf or two if you really want one. I know Schismy007 has puffers in a community tank so maybe you should talk with her.

[LilGreenPuffer]

I agree, there is no space left (you're overstocked), and a puffer would be a bad addition to the mix.

Also, the puffer will get all the MTSs before they have a chance to breed. There are other food sources that will wear down their teeth, though.

[plec123]

what food sources other than mts would keep the teeth down?
if i were to remove the angel, would a smaller puffer be able to go into the tank?
btw the tank is broken up well by driftwood and plants.

[Pufferpunk]

DPs rarely have an issue with overgrown teeth. They are serious fin-nippers & best kept with fast-moving fish.

[plec123]

ok. so, if i remove the angel do you think a puffer could work?
all the fish in my tank are constantly moving about except for the angel.
also, what food sources other than snails help keep teeth down?

[Lil' Swimz$]

No. I wouldn't do it. You can buy five gallons on Craig'sList for cheap. A five gallon with a DP would be perfect.

[plec123]

Theres my problem. Im 14 and my dad wont let me have more than one tank. If i was allowed more than one tank, i would probably have several puffers by now...

So, i just wanna make sure, theres no way i can have puffers in my tank other than maybe a dwarf or 2, and there isnt the slightest chance ill be able to have a South American, gold, bronze, or arrowhead puffer?

[Lil' Swimz$]

Hey, I'm 12 and have 3!! Anyways, if you sold all your fish you could get a silus, congo, suvatti, etc. Look in the PufferPedia under the Learn Tab. You'll find aton there.

[LilGreenPuffer]

South Americans require schools, so even with no other fish, they'd be a tight squeeze.

The others would mean no tankmates, either. The arrowhead (suvatti) requires more like 60g, I think.

[Lil' Swimz$]

Suvatti's? No, they're like a congo, they need 30 gallons. Even look in the PufferPedia. They only get 6", just like a congo.

[LilGreenPuffer]

I just don't think that this is a puffer tank, unless there's a complete overhaul.

[plec123]

and, what about the gold and bronze puffers?

[Lil' Swimz$]

Exactly. If you return most of your fish, maybe you could keep a school of something, then you can keep something with caution.

"Monotrete suvattii Date: 16/08/06
Owner: PufferPedia Admin
Size: 14 items
Common Name: Arrowhead Puffer

Other Common Names: Pignose Puffer, Mekong Puffer

Family: Tetraodontidae

Distribution: Mekong river basin

Water Parameters: Temp: 23 - 26C (74 - 80F); pH:6.0 - 7.8

Personality/Temperament: Piscivore. Low degree of intraspecific aggression, however will attack other puffers and fish.

Activity: Lurker, Not very active.

Max. Size: 6 inches (15 cm)

Estimated Lifespan: Not known

Sexual Dimorphism: None shown

Diet: Feeding and Diet article

Care: Pufferfish are extremly sensitive to nitrites and ammonia and should only be introduced into a fully cycled aquarium. Due to their messy eating habits, overfiltration is recommended.

Breeding: Click here to watch T. suvattii mating ---- Click here to see a thread containing T. suvatti fry

Minimum Tank Size: 30 US gallons (115 liters)

Other Notes: The arrowhead puffer gets its name from the distinctive 'arrow' marking on its head. These puffers do bury themselves although not as often as the T.miurus. Sand substrate is recommended but fine gravel is ok."

[plec123]

hmm... so, if i keep just the plecs, would a puffer work?