Choosing a puffer.

[Sentinel138]

I've posted many previous forums, on which puffer I should get. Now though, I've been examining other puffers. My question is to everyone out there, which puffer should I get??? I have decided 2 things... I don't want a Pea Puffer, and I can't get a puffer over 10 inches.The only requirements is that it can live with a Tire Track Eel... It's not a Moray Eel so it doesn't eat fish (for all who don't know). Either this or in a 20 Gallon tank. Although, I would prefer that it could live with the Eel, this is also an option.

Here a couple of the puffers I was considering, or would prefer to keep, but that's being biased.

Carinotetraodon irrubesco
Monotrete Abei
Colomesus asellus
Monotrete Baileyi
Monotrete Cambodgiensis
Monotrete Turgidus

These are a bunch of puffers I like and know are aggressive, but could possibly work. I do know Carinotetraodon irrubesco and Colomesus asellus will work, but I'm trying to see if any of the other puffers will work. The ones that are bold and highlighted I really want to know if they will work. I'm willing to make a 55 Gallon Tank alone for the puffer, but this will require a longer period of time. I'd rather just move them into a 75 Gallon Tank with my Eel, or let them have my old established 20 Gallon Tank.

Please respond and vote! I need information.

[Pufferpunk]

If I could chose 2, I'd say the asellus or irrubesco.

[Sentinel138]

Yeah, I thought so... I'm just trying to see if it's possible for any others. What I'd really like to do is like an Abei, Combodia, or a Hairy Puffer. I just don't know if I can though, so I'm asking for help.

[Pufferpunk]

All of them are vicious biters. They will take chunks of flesh out of your eel.

[pufferpuggirl]

And the problem with Colomesus asellus is that you really need to keep a group, minimum of 3 for them to be happy. Preferably about 5 would be optimum.

I thought you had settled on irrubesco?

[LilGreenPuffer]

Would you get just one SAP (asellus)? They're shoalers that will be much more comfortable in groups of 3+.

[Sentinel138]

And the problem with Colomesus asellus is that you really need to keep a group, minimum of 3 for them to be happy. Preferably about 5 would be optimum.

I thought you had settled on irrubesco?

Pretty much I've decided on them. I'm just trying to see if there's any other choices. Personally I'm actually thinking about just keeping a puffer alone at this point. But so far it's turned to Red Tailed Puffers.

[Sentinel138]

Would you get just one SAP (asellus)? They're shoalers that will be much more comfortable in groups of 3+.

If I did get a SAP it would be in a group of 5 probably. So yes, they'd be in a school or whatever. I dont know how it's spelled.

[Sentinel138]

All of them are vicious biters. They will take chunks of flesh out of your eel.

Well, I guess I can't do them. Would any of them do okay in their own tank though?

[WalkingTarget]

I would vote for C. Irrubesco as well.

I have a group of 3 (one male, two females) living with my C. Travancoricus, They tend to mind thier own business and stay out of the way of the dwarf puffers. which is rediculous, as they are easily twice the size of the largest dwarf.

Heck, the C. Irrubesco that I have dealt with thus far are probably the closest thing to 'community' puffers that I have had personal experience with.

[Pufferpunk]

When I kept DPs & other puffers together, the other puffers would always have bites on them.

[pufferpuggirl]

I've had very good experiences with redeye puffers myself. Right now I've got a female irrubesco in with my MBU and neither of them bother the other. I thought I had moved all the redeyes out of that tank, but she was hidden and so I missed her. She only really comes out when it's feeding time.

I currently have my DP's in my community tank and they don't seem to bother the other fish, they hang around in small packs to themselves, and I've got featherfin synodontis and gouramis in there too. So far, so good.

[Pufferpunk]

I'd get that lil guy out of the mbu tank. You just never know...

[Sentinel138]

Well, I think I've decided Red Puffers are the way to go. So far.

[Sentinel138]

I have a new question/idea....

Does anybody know any Fresh, or Brackish Water Puffers that can live alone in a 20 Gallon tank?

I have decided even though I could put Red Tailed Puffers, or SAPs with the Eel. I'm not going to... Now I have a new idea. I want to let my Eel live happily for a long time. So, I'm going to see if I can do a puffer in it's own tank alone. I'm willing to get a bigger tank too. 55 Gallons and no more. So if you have any idea if I can do a puffer in a 20 Gallon/55 Gallon tank. That would be great if you could help.

It's just too dangerous to put them with my Eel I've decided. The thing is though, I want to become a puffer owner. So, now I'm going to go with a new idea.

I want to do a puffer that can live alone, that isn't so aggressive it bites my hand when I put it in. If you have any idea for a puffer like this tell me. It can't be too aggressive, so I can't change the water without gloves, but a little aggressive is okay. Something that actually will live for a long time, and is fun to watch. I don't mind high maintenance.

I'm willing to try anything. It doesn't have to be exactly like the traits above, but those are just some ideas. Please respond and help.