F8s

[Salmon]

I saw 3 F8s housed with a GSP at my LFS and they were all about 1.5 inches to 2 inches and I was wondering if these were a good size to start with. To me they seem to be too large to start with. I was also wondering what the best way to transition a FW tank into a BW tank as to not disturb the bacteria. I keep seeing to only raise SG by .002 a week (one place said a month), but no one says exactly how to do this which would be extremly helpful I'm sure. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Pufferpunk]

See BW mixing article stickied in this forum.

[Salmon]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Salinity-Refractome ... 35b2f614ea
Would this be a good refractometer?

Edit:
You still didn't answer my question about the size of the fish...

[Pufferpunk]

That's the cheapest I've ever seen one. Be sure to get calibration solution for it. I like buying my fish small, so I can rear them with good foods to adulthood.

[Salmon]

they told me they feed them snails, frozen bloodworms and other kinds of frozen foods.

[Pufferpunk]

Also, F-D plankton works well.

[Salmon]

I ordered that refrectometer and a bunch of driftwood and a mangrove root decoration and I'm picking up this http://dayton.craigslist.org/for/2449684824.html tomorrow. I also purchased an F8 from that LFS this weekend (I couldn't stand seeing 4 of them in tiny tank, a couple were attacking the divider trying to get the fish in the tank next to them) I bought the healthiest looking one. He currently resides in my 10 gallon all alone. The thing that worries me is when I take a peek at him through the door I see him exploring his little set up, but as soon as I walk in the room he swims up and down on one of the sides and when I take a closer look at him he swims to the opposite side of the tank... It kind of upsets me, I guess he just isn't used to having an owner, I wish I would have asked how long they had the F8s in their store, I've been in there before but I usually am looking at the geckos, I just recently fell in love with puffers.
I guess my concern is I don't know if my puffer will ever change this behavior.
Also about the tank I'm buying, I'm putting the goldfish in with my girlfriend's gold fish (or taking it to an LFS) and my buddy wants the frogs for his plethora of tanks.

[Flutter]

Don't worry, they can take some time to settle in and get used to people. Make sure you move slowly and try to wear colours like brown or green vs. pinks and reds.

[akfm47]

...try to wear colours like brown or green vs. pinks and reds.

I can testify to the red colour. I've got a red bass guitar that my f8 backs away from, if I get anywhere near the tank with it. He doesn't mind the black one.

He hates orange shirts too.

[Salmon]

He is starting to be more personable, but still spooks if I move too quickly so when I go into the room I generally move really cautiously.

On another note I was wondering if he is between 1 and 2 inches would it be safe to try to feed him a fiddler crab? Jack's calls them gold claw crabs and my girlfriend's little bro got me one for free and I've had it for almost a month now, feeding it shrimp pellets and I believe it has eaten a couple baby mollies. The claws on it are very tiny and I kind of hate it since it doesn't do anything but hide when I'm around. Also can you breed fiddler crabs? I would love to set up a crab breeder for free crabs! otherwise I'll have to go to Jack's with my free fish of the month club and feed him one a month. So back to my question, do you think it is safe for me to try to feed him a crab?

[Salmon]

The crab isn't that big but I don't want to put it in there if the puffer won't be able to eat it.