Getting a Hairy Puffer

[Eatmonstr]

So I think I have finally decided which puffer I want to get. The desire started almost 3 years ago when I saw a porcupine puffer at the LFS. I've been practicing the general aquarist skills for awhile now. First I thought I wanted dwarf puffers. Then I almost got talked into getting a couple SAP. Then I looked at the larger freshwater lurkers and think I would enjoy the Hairy Puffer over a Congo or Arrowhead. The Hairy puffer seems like it might be the most active of the lurkers. It also looks like a swimming dragon head which I think is awesome. I wanted an active puffer but also a larger puffer once I learned that there were more freshwater puffer options.

I have a fully cycled 29g, Fluval 4 filter, heater, Current+ LED, sand substrate, moderately planted with a small amount of driftwood. I have a larger piece of driftwood that I want to add, but I have not found a pot large enough to boil it in, yet. I have 2 cories and 2 guppies in the tank right now.

I feel like I have read all of the articles that mention a Hairy Puffer but still have a couple of questions for the pros:
- is the setup sufficient for a Hairy Puffer?
- do the cories and guppies need to move out?
- can anything live with the Hairy Puffer? Speedy shrimps? Top of the tank swimmers?
- will I have to trim it's teeth?
- anyone have a link to an article for setting up a snail breeding tank?

[Pufferpunk]

I haven't seen the need to trim teeth on the lurking species. They so like a cave or terracotta pot to hang out in. They can NOT have ANY tank mates. How will you be cycling this tank? Have you found a supplier for this species? I have only kept the Congos but I've never seen mine eat snails. I actually have kept snails for breeding purposes with them & apple snails for clean up duties. Not sure about the Hairys though. Snail breeding article in our Library, under the Learn tab.

[pufferjw]

I think that hairy puffers' visible spines look cool, but they have very boring coloration. I would suggest either a red congo or duboisi if you could find one and are willing to spend a couple hundred dollars. Also, my red congo is fairly active.

[Pufferpunk]

I love the pink/grey marbling on a Hairy! My next puffer.

[DMD123]

I absolutely love my hairy puffer Scruffy. He will change color to meet the needs of what he is doing at the time.

Same fish, different situation

Pretty much a lump but when mine catches sight of me he get very active wanting to be fed.

[Eatmonstr]

The tank was cycled using some filter media, water, and substrate from my other tank. Then the guppies and cories were added to keep it going. It has been sitting at good levels for over two weeks now. I've only been doing ~10% water changes at the moment, but will increase to 30-50% after the puffer arrives and it starts to make a mess of things.

The bigger piece of driftwood will provide plenty of shelter. I can also look into building some sort of cave with slate or river rock.

I'll put some ramshorn in with the puffer to start out and see if he eats them or leaves them alone. As it has been said so many times, each one is a little different.

I do like the looks of the bright congos, but I have decided on the Hairy. I'll finalize my order today. I was told my Wet Spot Tropical Fish has a couple for sale at the moment. I'm picking one of them up!

[Pufferpunk]

Have you found a source for this fish?

[Eatmonstr]

Have you found a source for this fish?

Wet Spot Tropical Fish in Portland Oregon has several for sale.
sales@wetspottrpicalfish.com
503-719-7003

[pufferjw]

Pufferpunk, if you want the hairy puffer as your next fish there are a couple for sale on aquabid right now.

[DMD123]

I was told my Wet Spot Tropical Fish has a couple for sale at the moment. I'm picking one of them up!

Thats where I got mine. You in the Portland area? Im in WA state, just below Tacoma. I usually drive down to Wet Spot twice a year for weekend get aways. Most time no new fish but I still go to look. Awesome store!

[Pufferpunk]

I actually started a list for a rather large order from Wetspot a week ago. Saw the Hairy on there & knew I HAD to get one!

[Eatmonstr]

Dino the Hairy Puffer has arrived (Dino as in the dinosaur pet from The Flintstones). Hopefully he survives. The arrival was a bit stressful since his bag was leaking and there was not much water left by the time I got him to the tank for acclimation. The leak looks to have been caused by several holes in the bags. There was no visible damage to the box so you might have to think the puffer big holes through both bags. Shipping time was less than 14 hours so that part is good.

[Pufferpunk]

He actually looks great! Have you fed him yet?
They told me they've got one there that has TONS of hair for me!
I will be insisting they ship mine better!

[pufferjw]

Nice puffer. I remember that I was really worried when I first got my red congo puffer because he was showing strange behavior, but he ended up being very happy and healthy. Good luck with Dino!

[Eatmonstr]

He is still worrying me so far. I thought I just saw him upside down under the driftwood, but now he is zooming around the tank. I tried getting a picture but he isn't cooperating. Water parameters look good: pH 6.8, 0 ppm Ammonia, 0 ppm Nitrite, and 5-10 ppm Nitrates. Water change is scheduled for tomorrow. I'll do 30% like I have been doing since he isn't eating much and the water parameters are good. He has eaten a guppy and a couple bites of shrimp. He doesn't seem too concerned with eating yet.

I found some white things in my tank that look like eggs. There are 2 cories, 1 feeder guppy, pond snails, and Dino in the tank. If those are eggs, are they Dino's?