What size tank do YOU think an MBU should be in?

[FADE2BLACK_1973]

I have already voted on MFK before I seen that you (PP) posted it here on TPF...lol I think I voted on the 10 gal. option...lol...jk. I voted 1000 gal. and larger. Learned that here

[LSZ]

I have read those mbu threads at MFK .

It is appalling how some of those posts were started with the sole purpose of personal attacks.

I'll respect the puffer knowledge here over those at MFK anytime

[scpion]

Personally I felt that site is more of a showing off of exotic fish than absolute fish care.

"See, I have this! I have that! Who can beat me??"

[RTR]

I do not and will not participate on MFK. I read the title to myself as Monsterous Fish Killers". The general tone there is that if the fish physically fits within the confine of the tank, it is fine. IMHO the site favors ignorance over knowledge, and completely ignores sustainability and compatibility for long-term life and health. That site represents everything I am against in fish-keeping.

[E78704]

..IMHO the site favors ignorance over knowledge, and completely ignores sustainability and compatibility for long-term life and health. That site represents everything I am against in fish-keeping.

I would not be so quick to discount that site (or any site) out-of-hand but we are obviously each entitled to our own opinions. I am a member there and like any forum, there are things you agree with and things you don't. I do believe that there are fish which people shouldn't be buying, such as red-tailed catfish or african tigerfish but on the other hand, I have seen some fantastic setups over there and try to learn what I can from those who have done well with their pets.

Regarding Mbu, they can be kept (and will thrive) in a 300-gallon tank and are also a hardy species to keep, assuming the owner can meet its dietary needs. So while I would tell someone not to buy a red-tailed cat or an arapaima, as long as they have the room for 300+ gallon tank and can get enough whole crustaceans, I think Mbu can be a great pet.

Just my 2-cents.

[puffykid]

Yes, I too believe that you can learn from many different sources and that often it is even a good thing to see other perspectives and different ideas. I however, do not approve of at least a small minority of the members that belong to the other forum, as they do not attempt to exchange information. But simply use Ad Hominem attacks on people who go over there that have a different opinion about the requirements for fish. No one likes to be attacked or told that they are wrong, especially when they are just trying to have a debate for the well-being of the fish.

[E78704]

...No one likes to be attacked..

Agree with that 100%. It seems to be a part of internet forums across the board, unfortunately.

[fahakaha]

I'll play the "devil's advocate here" forget that it's an mbu for a second, it's a 2ft max size fish, give or take an inch or two. For simple math purposes, let's just say 2 feet. The minimum ideal width for a 2 foot fish is 3ft. Some might be inclined to do more, that's personal preference and to be honest, the fish does not care one way or another. As far as width is concerned, as long as the 2ft fish has amble space to turn then it's enough. I don't think it's ok for anyone to make a judgement beyond say a 3ft width. Anything more is pure bias and has no business being posted as required practice.

Length is often even more bias, some say 6ft, others say 8ft and I'm sure there will be a few who think 10 ft is a good length. Being a Fahaka puffer owner myself, I do not consider puffers as needing a super sized length aquarium to be happy in. Let's use the 2ft fish example, three times comes out to 6ft which is plenty room for a 2ft fish, I don't care what anyone says, it's true. Anything more is personal preference and there's nothing wrong with it, except when you start demanding that the fish requires an 8ft or more length tank. Like MFK or not, they have some of the highest quality fish and aquariums on the internet barnone. I'm not advocating for or against them, just being a voice of reason. There will always be bad fish keeping practices everywhere on the web, think the goal is to educate and to also keep it real.

Not everyone can afford to run out and by a 20 ft long x 100 ft wide tank. To be fair, no home aquarium is big enough for any fish, so in theory, all of you who are judging are just as guilty of committing the ultimate fish keeping sin. One 2ft puffer would do very well in a 6 x 3, even a 5 x 3. Fahaka's get 18 inches, a 2 ft width would be plenty for them too. Sure it's always nice if you can afford a 3 or 4 foot width, but you do what you can afford. As long as the fish is happy and the filtration is plentiful, your fish will live a long and happy life and so will you.

[Pufferpunk]

You can't just use the length rule, as this fish also has a HUGE body mass, that eats & produces a TON of waste.

[bertie 83]

+1. You cannot compare fish of different masses, for example a mbu and an eel of the same length.

[E78704]

Yes, Mbu are a big fish but they do not arbitrarily produce more waste than any other fish of equivalent size. In other words, if there were some "Top-10 list of fish which crap the most", it's not like the Mbu would be #1. A large Pleco, for example, seems a lot messier to me. Ditto on goldfish, koi, and Oscars. If the keeper has adequate filtration hardware for the size fish in question and changes the lwater like they should, then the Mbu should do fine in there.

Just my 2-cents.

[mark421]

Yes, Mbu are a big fish but they do not arbitrarily produce more waste than any other fish of equivalent size. In other words, if there were some "Top-10 list of fish which crap the most", it's not like the Mbu would be #1. A large Pleco, for example, seems a lot messier to me. Ditto on goldfish, koi, and Oscars. If the keeper has adequate filtration hardware for the size fish in question and changes the lwater like they should, then the Mbu should do fine in there.

Just my 2-cents.

A large pleco that poops alot is waste that is bearly digested (alot of its wood!). it doesnt mess with the water like bits of inverts all over the place!

[bertie 83]

+1 I don't believe this is comparable, goldfish are high waste producers I will give you that but my goldfish are only about half the size and they are 20 years old.

[fahakaha]

I do a daily vacuum on my Fahaka's collection of mini-asteroids, as long as you vacuum stuff up before it rots, you won't need to worry much about bio-load.

[defool89]

300G