Takifugu Ocellatus

[NewButNotStupid]

I have a 20 gallon freshwater tank and have 2 danios, 2 guppies, and 2 ghost shrimp in it. I realized the danios picked on the guppies (kiled 2 already) so I went to a reputable fish store to have my water tested and possiby look for a couple tank mates that would do. After looking at the puffers, which i thought were brackish, I spoke to the "expert" and he told me they were freshwater. He said if i got one it would gladly eat the ghost shrimp (which I don't mind, i think they are creepy). He said they'll get to be the size of a grapefruit, and when i said my tank was only 20 gallons, he said it would be fine. Other info he gave me was to make sure i had sand at the bottom, not rocks, they like the temp to be 80 F (26.6 C) and that I should feed him carnivore pellets. I bought the Fugu. But when I got home and started researching the species, I started freaking out. Everything I read about temps says it should be WAY lower, and that they aren't happy in freshwater. I am willing to make changes for the life of this Fugu but I don't know what exactly to do. I can take the danios to my nearest pet store while picking up some salt to add to my tank. I guess my plants will die in brackish water. I wouldn't mind eventually having a marine aquarium but I KNOW freshwater and I'd have a lot to learn about marine environments.

Shoud I go NOW and get salt to add to the tank, even though he's been in fresh at the store?
Is it ok to get the carnivore pellets to feed him since thats what he's been eating at the fish store?
Should I take the danios and guppies to the pet store b/c they wont survive?
Is it all even worth it with a 20 gallon tank? Can I set up a brackish and eventual cute little 20 gallon salt water tank?

Please help.
Thanks

[J-P]

Welcome to the forum!!

see thread:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=21849&hilit=+Takifugu

Apparently they are low salt, cold water fish

also see
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23125&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... =Ocellatus

[NewButNotStupid]

Thank you for the links.

The Fugu is swimming around a little less irratically now (although still obviously very stressed), and I realize I should calm down because it's not like he wasn't use to the freshwater at the pet store. But I DO like him a lot and want to give him the best possible environment.
I'm lowering the water temp slowly by turning the heater off and letting the water come to room temp (around 70 F).
Should I slowly add the appropriate salt to make his environment brackish? When I do this, later down the line, what would be the best tank mate for him?

Thanks for any info you can provide!
Lynn

(p.s. my ID name is "NewButNotStupid" because I've asked for help from another forum and was treated like I didn't know ANYHING at all, they were rude to me)

[J-P]

no probs I have never kept one but they are notoriously difficult. I wish I could keep one

Welcome to the family!

[NewButNotStupid]

They Fish Store acted like it wasn't a difficult fish at all, and I really thought I asked all the right questions. It was 18 dollars. I'm used to paying a couple bucks only for the regular freshwater tropical community fish, but this one was so pretty!

I hope I can get it right, I'm going to try!!

[CarmenH]

You may already know this but it's worth repeating...when you start to add salt, make sure it's marine salt (like Instant Ocean), NOT aquarium salt. Big difference. You will need a hydrometer (or even better, a refractometer), and need to raise the specific gravity very slowly...

[xrayjeeper83]

I dont know anything that can help you, but I do love pictures

[J-P]

I was about to reply but Carmen beat me to it.

3 ppl I would seek advice from:

CarmenH

recombinantrider

Neal Monks

I can't say for certain who has and has not kept this puffer but recombinantrider (2 years). Not to disrespect other members etc.. but these are the only ones I know with any experience.

[Pufferpunk]

You'll need a much larger tank. None of your other fish will appreciate any salt.

[J-P]

of course PP and Myaj also .. sorry forgot about. (how embarrassing)

[Pufferpunk]

The article in our Library is spot on for these very difficult to keep species.

[NewButNotStupid]

Thank you everyone!

I knew I needed special salt but didn't know what kind, so thank you for that Carmen. I also didn't know how to add it, so thanks again! I will be taking the freshwater fish in my tank (2 danios and 2 guppies) to the store with me to leave with them when I pick up some salt. There are 2 ghost shrimp in the tank that I think I'll just leave because i read they are often used as food for the puffers.

For now I'm going to focus on making this 20 gallon an healthy environment for the Fugu. I'll be looking for a bigger tank in time. Is it possible to slowly acclimate this Fugu to a saltwater environment that I could possible put some of the cooler saltwater creatures in? I've read coral can be bad for puffers because they eat at it and can scratch themselves badly on it. They seem pretty clumsy!

Do any of you have pictures of tanks set up with puffers like the Fugu, so I know what my possibilities are??

Again thanks for everyones help!
Lynn

[J-P]

look up pictures of "sushi" by recombinantrider


one of the cutest little guys to grace the Puffer Forum!

[RTR]

A 20 gallon tank is useless for an occellatus beyond quarantine. As has already been said, they are not fish for heated tanks at all, grow quickly, and are extremely active. They are extremely difficult fish to keep alive even for experts. I have tried repeatedly without long-term success. If you are not an experienced aquarist with a stockpile of equipment (including chillers and some large tanks), the fish is unlikely survive more than a few months. I would suggest returning it to the store.

[NewButNotStupid]

A 20 gallon tank is useless for an occellatus beyond quarantine. As has already been said, they are not fish for heated tanks at all, grow quickly, and are extremely active. They are extremely difficult fish to keep alive even for experts. I have tried repeatedly without long-term success. If you are not an experienced aquarist with a stockpile of equipment (including chillers and some large tanks), the fish is unlikely survive more than a few months. I would suggest returning it to the store.

I understand what your advising me. Right now the Occellatus seems to be happy; he's eating well, swimming steadily (NOT IRRATICALLY) and only gets a little shy when I'm looking with my big ol' head right up to the glass staring at him. When I first released him into the tank he buried himself in the sand which I understand is his way of hiding, and he hasn't done it since the one time.

While he is 2 inches long, and is already accustomed to a 20 gallon freshwater tank (as he was at the pet store) I think he's ok for now. I have read up on the species and plan to add salt very slowly once a week to two weeks and also plan to acquire and set up a larger tank for him.

I UNDERSTAND completely that this fish is way too advanced for a novice. But it was a regular old pet store and not a specialty fish hobby store and if I were to bring him back, someone might get him and not put in half the effort to prolong his life. I joined this forum to help guide me while I research the species more.

I appreciate everyone's input and assistance with the new Fugu. I have named him Mr. Miyagi and I will do my best at caring for him.
Thanks again,
Lynn