New puffer choices, 29G

[frootbat]

Hi all,

I am converting a 29g tank (planted, pool filter sand substrate, AC50 for filtration, but I have an Emperor 280 on the way since it has a spray bar) from cichlids to puffers (trading the cichlids for store credit), and need some help with the selection. Here is what is available:

Takifugu Ocellatus: Brackish I know, that doesn't bug me, but the fact that I am in TX and they like low temps may be a non-starter.Beautiful, and I do like the way they are active and bury themselves though, and can handle the harder water here in TX.

SAPs: They have some that are about an inch long, they seem active. My only concern is I think they are conditioned to eat bloodworms and not snails. No idea how to sex these.

Avacado puffers: about the same size as the SAPs, but I couldn't find any info on these.

GSPs: Maybe a couple of these with a couple of bumblebee gobies and a dash of marine salt.

Pea puffers: These are really about the size of peas, nowhere near an inch long...they didn't seem terribly active though.

Mbu: no freaking way.

Pity they didn't have any red-eyes available...apparently those can be sexed.

I'd like something active, entertaining to watch, hopefully that will hunt snails. I have a small tank I can devote to growing snails. Being able to sex them would be a plus...not looking to breed, but any "accidental" breedings would be neat to watch, and my lfs would take the youngins.

Your advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[purplecandle]

Takifugu Ocellatus: Brackish I know, that doesn't bug me, but the fact that I am in TX and they like low temps may be a non-starter.Beautiful, and I do like the way they are active and bury themselves though, and can handle the harder water here in TX.-Marine is better for this fish, very hard to keep.Your tank is too small for one ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Marine/T_Ocellatus/

SAPs: They have some that are about an inch long, they seem active. My only concern is I think they are conditioned to eat bloodworms and not snails. No idea how to sex these. -No need to sex, will need teeth trimming. However a schooling puffer and you can only do 2 in that tank- info ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/C_Asellus/

Avacado puffers: about the same size as the SAPs, but I couldn't find any info on these.- You could two two of these, active and will eat snails-here is their info, no tankmates ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/A_Modestus/

GSPs: Maybe a couple of these with a couple of bumblebee gobies and a dash of marine salt.- Not a dash..full marine or high brackish at a minimum. No tankmates. Your tank is too small for an adult one. info ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Brackish/T_Nigroviridis/

Pea puffers: These are really about the size of peas, nowhere near an inch long...they didn't seem terribly active though.- Will be active and you can sex them, again no tankmates- info-ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/C_Travancoricus/

Mbu: no freaking way.- No freaking way!

Have you thought of F8's (light brackish-the dash you were speaking of) ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Brackish/T_Biocellatus/

[frootbat]

I will check on the F8's...the puffers I thought were GSPs may have been F8's...to me they seem to look similar. They were housed with bumblebee gobies. I have never done brackish, but I guess it's really just another parameter to check.