South american puffer

[branw]

I have two 90 gallon tanks and have decided to trade some fish to have these puffers in my 90 Gallon tank. I just want to clarify that they are in fact only freshwater and curious as to how many I can have in a 90??

Thanks

[sevenyearnight]

They are indeed freshwater. It would be highly advised to set up a snail breeding tank, they have the fastest growing teeth. Even with a diet rich in snails, you may still have to trim their teeth occasionally.

I could be wrong, but it would appear that 6 would be your number. However, considering that they are schooling and don't need their individual territories like other puffers, it may be ok to have more.
Someone with more knowledge on this species should be able to help you shortly. Until then, here is the Pufferpedia section on them:
ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/C_Asellus/

[bertie 83]

Yes totally freshwater. You could fit 6 or potentially more if its a long tank. However i think 4 would be a better number as they will have more swimming room without bumping into one another, plus regular dentistry on more would be a nuisance

[xrayjeeper83]

+1 to all above

[branw]

Can any plecos live with these puffers??

[bertie 83]

It may be possible but puffers have nasty teeth so there is a chance it will end in tears and shredded fish

[RTR]

Are you going to use live plants? If so, you might get away with a trio of Otocinclus cats, but substrate-living suckermouth cats may not be appropriate.

Huge +1 to a decent sized snail breeding set up. I used a lot of snails (primary diet for these fish in my tanks).

[Terrance]

Hey guys is it harmful to trim its teeth while it is sedated? What if I just fed 25% hard food diet like snails and trim their teeth 4-5 times per year? Seems easy when I'm watching it on youtube.

[xrayjeeper83]

why not sure feed 90%hard food and do it once a year.

And you can do it with out sedatives

[Terrance]

Its just personal preference. Throw in some cockle mussel shrimp earthworms. Keep a good variety of food and cut the teeth when it gets long. Giving them mainly hard shelled food doesn't seem important when I can just cut it.

Is it harmful for the fish to get its teeth cut 4-5 times a year? If no sedation is required, then does that mean the procedure is not stressful?

[Pufferpunk]

It is possible the puffer may inhale air while he's out of the water for trimming.
library/hospital/dentistry/

[J-P]

Hey guys is it harmful to trim its teeth while it is sedated? What if I just fed 25% hard food diet like snails and trim their teeth 4-5 times per year? Seems easy when I'm watching it on youtube.

Which video was that?

the procedure is less stressful when you use MS-222. Don't use clove oil.

[branw]

I wonder if I can get MS 222 in Canada? I am hoping to get them this weekend. They were in quarantine at the pet store. I think I will get 4 for my 90 G since I do have a 3D background so some space is lost. I have lots of rock and some great pieces of drift wood. Do you think Lava rock would be too rough to have in the tank?? I think I will try plants, some hearty ones lol

[branw]

Can I keep guppies or any kind of fish in my snail tank or will the eggs get eaten? edited ** should I breed any shrimp or they better on just mainly snails?

[bertie 83]

Snail tanks should really be kept as snail tanks, it's just not really fair for a fish to live in a potentially messy environment. They may also eat the eggs