Tank Mates and HELP URGENTLY

[Mikeyburnsey]

Hi Guys, not been on for a while, laptop broke, then PC was playing up.

I need help, as my MBU(Midge) puffer seems not to be eating, last time I exactly saw him eat was Monday. There seems no problem by his demeanour, swimming up and down side to side, looking in caves etc.. Eyes are clear and skin colour fine. Do you think I am worrying over nothing?
I know there are snails and yesterday I put in live muscles and a clam.

What tank mates do other members keep their MBU with?? I would love to know, especially if there are Malawi's in the tank!! I have 4 Dolphins and about 6 other different Malawi`s. I have 2 Bristlenose Plecs, 3 Servrums (Small). If you guys think my set up is wrong then by all means let me know.
My tank size is at the moment 86 Gallons, don't all shout, I know it's small, but so is my MBU and other fishes.

[Ohyouknow]

Wow, could I see a pic of the tank?

[Mikeyburnsey]

Wow, could I see a pic of the tank?

Is that wow, for real, or is it you think, my tank is overstocked? I will up load a pic later

[Ohyouknow]

it's definitely overstocked in my opinion - I know the fish are all small now, but some of those fish grow VERY large. I don't mean in any way to 'scold' you for your tank size and all that - but you seriously are going to have to have a pond to keep all of these fish. Plecos are poop machines, your Serv's can get between 8-12 inches, and depending on the malawi's - they can range from 3"-2 foot. I know they are all small now, even if the bioload doesn't overwhelm your tank now the fish release hormones which can cause problems. Of course, I wanted to see a pic, because I bet it's pretty to look at -and I wanted to see what you see. All the sizes of their fish in relativity with the size of their current tank. I don't know a lot about cichlids, but I have been told that they need to be really crowded in order to prevent serious aggression issues (?? idk - i assumed it was bad information but maybe not?) I currently keep a single rainbow shark and a single malawi cichlid with my Fahaka in a 120gal tank. I know that the bioload is small (for now) but they all have shown great growth since I got them all in there. I am tempted to get one more larger fish, (a pleco they have at LFS that is larger than vicious right now, I think it's a sailfin but not certain) and maybe 3 to 5 of this other fish that the lfs said should work well (However, those may have to wait until I get my lighting up graded, and plants growing so that I can provide a LOT more cover.) I know Mbu's are more accommodating to tankmates, but still... just curious to see what you have going on now

Do you plan on upgrading soon??

[Pufferpunk]

Your mbu is going to grow FAST & need upgrading pretty quickly. I wouldn't buy any tank mates until he is in his permanent home. Start saving & looking for the tank & heavy filtration now. I'm moving this to the hosp forum, so you can answer ALL the Qs above, in red.

[Mikeyburnsey]

Guys, I get the feeling, that you think I am someone new to the hobby!!! I have in-fact been involved in fish keeping for over 25 years and have breed fish from Discus to Guppies, I have owned a Malawi set-up, I recently sold the majority of the fishes and kept back a few (Dolphins) I know they can be temperamental , it is true and then again it is false, depends on when you introduce new fishes and what size.
To say it's definitely overstock, is completely wrong, I would never keep fish in a tank that they could not swim in, yes they grow bigger, but OMG not overnight.
And not feed my MBU in till I get a new tank, let me think????

Why is it people all jump on the same bandwagon about tank sizes, lets be honest A MBU puffer should never be kept in a house hold tank whatever the size, why, because they are all wild. So I believe I am doing no wrong, I have an Eheim Pro 3, which has 2 intakes, I also have Fluval 4 Plus, water changes are frequent with a 40% done weekly ( I own a HMA water filter system), There is no Ammoina (0), Nitrite (0), or Nitrate (10) which is low and probarly due to feeding about hour ago. I use Amquel or Prime to control any water changes or a change in No3. I own a PH monitor which shows the value 24/7 (7.34)

I don't mind people' opinion, but don't beat around the bush. I have read what is in the red ( And I am not happy that it has been posted on my question), good if you are new to the hobby, but like I said I am not, just wanted to know a little bit more on MBU habits . Not Chapter and Versus

[RTR]

This is not intended a personal slam, but it is a topic on which I feel very strongly. I have said essentially the same thing many times previously, even in some other threads still on the board here.

IMHO & IME, any giant puffer should have no, repeat no, tankmates.

Also IMHO, your tank is way too small for any T.mbu - even a juvenile. They need to grow fast. The common practice of "moving up in tank size when it is needed" is IMHO excellent advice for stunting fish. Big fish need big tanks, swimming/exercise space when they are small/juvenile. I learned that many years ago with Cichilds, and finally caught on that it applied to puffers and most other medium to large fish equally. If you want normal development and configuration, and normal adult size,and long life, you really need to provide"permanent" homes from the start.

Big predators do not need tankmates. Appropriately sized and equipped tanks for these fish is barely possible in the home. Tankmates might be suitable if you have a greenhouse enclosed swimming pool sized 'tank' for them, otherwise you likely are doing the fish a disservice.

HTH

[Pufferpunk]

I have read what is in the red ( And I am not happy that it has been posted on my question)

I need help, as my MBU(Midge) puffer seems not to be eating

HELP URGENTLY

This is why the Qs in red. I would expect parameters & tank history from any new or old fishkeeper. Actually, if we've been in the hobby for any length of time, we know that's the 1st thing anyone is going to ask when there is a problem.

[Mikeyburnsey]

I am not a doing a disservice, that is unfair, I did not bring the puffer into the country it was in a LFS which I paid £85, you don,t but a single bed straight away for a baby, so why is there a need for a massive tank straight away??? I am and will be putting mine in a bigger tank when I feel it's right, not when people tell me. Everyone who owns a big puffer is in the wrong unless you supply a tank of 1000+ gallons. Don't have ago at me. have ago of the people who catch them and sell them, I am just giving a puffer a home which other wise would of been left in the LFS and a tank size of 15X15.
Everyone thinks they know better, I appreciate peoples comments, but not negativity

[Pufferpunk]

I did not bring the puffer into the country it was in a LFS

have ago of the people who catch them and sell them, I am just giving a puffer a home which other wise would of been left in the LFS and a tank size of 15X15

...where they will catch & fill that tank again. That reasoning makes no sense. Anyway, I'm still waiting for those parameters.

[RTR]

I beg your pardon? If you come on a site and ask for advice, you should be grateful that folks with experience are willing to share their experience with you. I do have many years of experience with puffers, including the large FW ones, and with the larger Cichlids - including the breeding and rearing of Fahaka-sized ones. Whether or not you choose to accept my (or anyone else') advice is solely up to you. But to snap back and challenge folks who try to help you is rude and counter-productive to the forum and the individuals who are offering advice.

Good luck to you and your fish. They have my sympathy. You make your own choices, but they have to live or die with the consequences of your choices.

End of this discussion for me.

[Mikeyburnsey]

I beg your pardon? If you come on a site and ask for advice, you should be grateful that folks with experience are willing to share their experience with you. I do have many years of experience with puffers, including the large FW ones, and with the larger Cichlids - including the breeding and rearing of Fahaka-sized ones. Whether or not you choose to accept my (or anyone else') advice is solely up to you. But to snap back and challenge folks who try to help you is rude and counter-productive to the forum and the individuals who are offering advice.

Good luck to you and your fish. They have my sympathy. You make your own choices, but they have to live or die with the consequences of your choices.

End of this discussion for me.

I am rude just read the above, I am allowed my opinion , I have 25 years in keeping fish of all sizes, so don't make me out to be rude, is it because I responded to your quote, my fish have sympathy that's been appreciated by my fish, but how rude can you get, to make me out to be a bad fish keeper, I am glad that it's the end of discussion for you.
I'm still waiting for those parameters Pufferpunk, my parameters are in one of the replies, the only one that has a reading is No3, 10mgl

Everyone I understand that my MBU puffer will need a much lager tank, so please don't go on. Just wanted to know why my little guy does not seem to be eating??

[purplecandle]

RTR, this is good...I am putting it in my signature!!! If you don't mind!

"The common practice of "moving up in tank size when it is needed" is IMHO excellent advice for stunting fish."

[Hilly]

When was the last time you saw him take a dump?

[purplecandle]

When was the last time you saw him take a dump?

Hilly, I have always thought you were a girl, then I read this..and then I totally knew you were a boy! And then I looked over at your profile..and sure enough....A boy!