Anyone had any experience with a lone SAP?

[CrawDaddy]

Title says it all really.

Has anybody had any personal experience of keeping a single SAP? How long for? Was it a success? Was the fish happy or did you have to get more SAPs?

I bought a single SAP under the impression 3+ was a nice to have rather than an essential. Now i'm starting to wonder if i've got a depressed fish!

Cheers
CD

[bertie 83]

I have a singleton also, I am ona hunt to get more as they really do prefer friends. Basically if you can get more he will benefit from it

[CrawDaddy]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Yeah I saw your other post where you talked about rescuing a single SAP and that after a while it became a happy fish with a "serious personality".

I'm just over a week in to my own single SAP and there is a lot of glass surfing going on and limited appetite. I'm just wondering if this is destined to happen if they are kept singly or if actually it will settle. Lots of people say they prefer company but what actually are the consequences if kept alone?

Anybody out there with single SAP success story?

[bertie 83]

Mine is in a very highly decorated tank with rock, wood, plants etc etc. I have a large powerhead aimed along the front glass which he spends most of his time swimming in. I strongly believe the school of rasporas I have helped him settle quickly, I also introduced hundreds of snails before him so he is constantly searching for them. Many snails are being added constantly to replenish the eaten ones. Keep on top of water quality and spend as much time with him as you can and he will soon familiarise himself with you.

[bertie 83]

Post us a full tank shot if possible. What size tank is he in?

[Nuclear_Glitter]

The advice you've been given is good. I just wanted to say that you can sometimes find puffers on aquabid.com, if you have the money for shipping. I really think you should get at least two more puffers, because they're very nervous without tankmates of their own species most of the time.

However, really decorating the tank well, and sticking around to entertain him tons may help a lot. If you can't find more SAPs, maybe like Berties rare case, some tank mates of other types could help.

I wish you luck! =]

[CrawDaddy]

Thanks for the responses.

I'm running the risk of double posting here, I've another open thread which kind of strays into this territory. I just wanted to find out if there was anyone out there who does currently, successfully keep a single SAP.

The tank is only a 67 litre. Heavily planted/decorated and filtered but only 2ft long. It's not going to be large enough for more SAPs and in fact the only other fish that was in there has had to be moved to a smaller tank as it was attacking the SAP. Changing the tank is not an option.

So the question is can he be kept alone (and in this tank) or do i need to rehome?

[bertie 83]

I still have mine alone but he will be getting some company. A 2ft tank is really much too small for a fish this active.

[CrawDaddy]

Hmmmn, I was fearing that may be the case. I'm really annoyed at myself. I researched but not to my usual level and it clearly wasn't enough. I basically saw "non-aggresive, fresh water puffer, likes high flow, grows to an interesting yet only needs 15 US gallons" and thought "I'll have a bit of that!". Silly. I didn't see the 3ft rule until the deal was done. I might see if the fish shop will take it back next weekend. Bugger.

Any suggested alternatvies? I'm kind of in love with the idea of a puffer now. Am I resticted to DPs with this tank?

[RTR]

I have kept singleton SAPs as well, long ago before I knew better. Most puffers do beat as singleton specimens. SAPs are an exception.

Those were in spacious tanks, such as 33XL - ~12x13+x48". Some likely had an Otocinclus catfish or two as tankmates. I had high silicate water then and needed diatom algae consumers in planted tanks.

HTH

[bertie 83]

Where in London are you? I will buy him off you if you are not too far

[CrawDaddy]

Sorry just seen this. a friend of mine has baggsied him already. Wants to give puffers a go. If he changes his mind i'll get in touch.

As an aside, I know you were talking aboout struggling to find puffers. If you do find yourself in london there is a shop in bethnal green called wholsale tropicals which had loads of SAPs