re: different puffer types in same tank

[spanwood48]

I have had a dog faced puffer for about 15 years. He's housed in a community marine aquarium(300 gals). He never has shown any interest in the other fish, even clown fish. I was told by my pet store that I could put another puffer in the tank. I'm considering a blue dot puffer, which is much smaller than the dog faced variety. Does anyone have any thoughts on this idea??

Doug

[purplecandle]

Don't do it!

I can believe that your dogface gets along with other fish...because those fish are not other puffers.

Puffers are narcissistic and territorial. They might last a week together, but when your dogface realizes the other fish is a puffer, and that puffer begins to claim territory in HIS tank...your dogface will not allow it!

You will end up with a dead blue dot or a blue dot that hides all the time (until he is eventually attacked by the dogface)

[trekenk]

I do servicing on a 300 gallon which houses a large puffer and several other smaller fish including a clown and they do alright. I attribute this to the fact this tank is understocked and large. As far as adding another puffer I certainly wouldn't consider one the larger variants but I have seen some of the smaller tobies homed with a narrow lined puffer. It is never suggest to combine puffers or put them into community tanks it is hit and miss. If you do have a plan in place to remove the blue dot puffer immediately at the first sign of trouble it could be possible. Could you give a list of all inhabitants in this tank?