Figure 8 - right for me?

[mr.p]

I am in love with figure 8 puffer fish. However, i am debating between a dwarf and a figure8. If you were new to owning puffers, which would you choose? I love the size and marking of a figure8, but I like that a dwarf only needs a 5gallon lol.

[mrgreen]

I have both. I would say start with a dwarf simply because its less work for water changes. I have a 30 gallon "long" and that takes 45 minutes. But the F8s ARE very personable.

[PolishPuff]

F8's need little more maintenance because of the salt.

With 30 gal, I would go with Figure Eight

[bazil323]

Are you completely new to fish or just to puffers? If you are new to any fish, I would go with a freshwater puffer, in this case the dwarf. Freshwater is easier because you don't have to mess with mixing the water with salt prior to the water change and make sure that it's all mixed up. Brackish is a little bit more commitment, IMHO, than freshwater.

I'd seriously consider what space I can afford (both financially and physically in the home) and whether I could truly commit to weekly mixing of marine salt with water prior to a water change (easiest to do in a rubbermaid type tub and run a powerhead overnight) and always have marine salt on hand and check and double check that the salinity is correct. If you are willing to do that, go for the one you really want.

[mr.p]

Hello again. Thanks for all your advice. I really want the figure 8, so I think thats what im gonna set my goal towards. I dont really do any after school activities and I dont have a job [yet], so i know I have plenty of time on my hands xD And I think the figure 8 will keep more more interested and give me more of a challenge. Im excited now haha.

[SammyDee]

It will not be cheap thou. Make sure you have your Instant ocean salt, hydrometer etc. And also will probably want to start a snail breeding tank.