can i put a puffer in a tank with a cichlid???

[samantharenae87]

I have a fire mouth cichlid thats approx 5in and would like to add a puffer (fig-8, gsp, or dwarf) to the tank with him... Would it be safe?

[Brandon8521]

i wouldnt attempt it, just keep it to a central american themed tank. Like i posted on your other thread although they can tolerate a very little salinity no more then 1.002 they wouldnt do well at all in the salinity a fig8 needs and especially not what a gsp needs.

[Pufferpunk]

How big is the tank? Is there only the one firemouth in there?

[samantharenae87]

i currently have a ten gallon... im going to upgrade to a 30gal min. before i buy a puffer. yeah, just one cichlid

[Flutter]

Welcome to the forum

Firemouths get to be quite large and puffers are sensitive and messy fish. I have no experience with firemouths or figure 8's and GSPs but I do know that it simply would not work in a 30gal, you'd need a significantly larger tank.

I think a dwarf would be too small to safely live with the cichlid. Figure 8's are low brackish and GSP's are high brackish to full marine. I've read that firemouths sometimes come from estuaries but you'd be best to ask an experienced keeper what type of water they do best in in captivity.

I'm really not sure that it's a good idea but if you do try it make sure you can separate the fish very quickly. You need to have a backup tank in case things turn ugly. I'm sure the others can be of more help

[Brandon8521]

If you get a decent sized tank (55 or higher) you could mix him with some flag and rainbow cichlids to make a nice tank.

[samantharenae87]

thanks for all the input everyone!!!! Sounds like i'm going to be holding off on getting a puffer for a bit... im having trouble finding a store in my area that still carries them. walmart stopped as did petco and petsmart....