New to the Group - Fahaka Biotope

Discuss & learn about Mbu, Fahaka, Mappa & other giant puffers.
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ARKproject
Puffer Fry
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2018 5:38 pm
Location (country): Ontario, Canada

New to the Group - Fahaka Biotope

Post by ARKproject »

New to this group and to keeping a Puffer
Bought a quarter sized Fahaka this July. They grow so fast.
I've attached a video of my Fahaka in his tank
Currently in a 105 gallon with 5x Microctenopoma congicum and 1 Leopard Ctenopoma :)

He definitely rules the tank.

Also, I'm aware he's most likely going to eventually eat his tank mates.
https://youtu.be/4FzLm9uqPUc
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Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32755
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Chicago
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Re: New to the Group - Fahaka Biotope

Post by Pufferpunk »

[welcome]
I feel bad for his tank mates. Why subject them to this?
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
ARKproject
Puffer Fry
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2018 5:38 pm
Location (country): Ontario, Canada

Re: New to the Group - Fahaka Biotope

Post by ARKproject »

The fish in his tank are doing great now. They don't hide, they eat right beside him, often picking pieces of crayfish or snail that fly off as he eats. They are exhibiting no signs of stress.
If he manages to catch one and eat one, I don't mind as I see no difference morally or philosophically between the current fish being eaten or a crayfish/snail/goldfish.
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pufferjw
Green Spotted Puffer
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Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 9:16 pm
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My Puffers: Duboisi Puffer
Red Congo Puffer
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Dwarf Puffer

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Location (country): USA
Location: Boston/Chicago

Re: New to the Group - Fahaka Biotope

Post by pufferjw »

ARKproject wrote: Sat Oct 13, 2018 12:28 pm The fish in his tank are doing great now. They don't hide, they eat right beside him, often picking pieces of crayfish or snail that fly off as he eats. They are exhibiting no signs of stress.
If he manages to catch one and eat one, I don't mind as I see no difference morally or philosophically between the current fish being eaten or a crayfish/snail/goldfish.
The Ctenopoma have spines though, they could potentially injure the fahaka if attacked.
220 Gallon - 1 Super White Leopoldi Stingray
55 Gallon Planted - No Fish
29 Gallon Planted - 1 Duboisi Puffer
29 Gallon - 1 Red Congo Puffer
ARKproject
Puffer Fry
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2018 5:38 pm
Location (country): Ontario, Canada

Re: New to the Group - Fahaka Biotope

Post by ARKproject »

I can't see spines being an issue unless the Fahaka can swallow them whole.
I've fed my Fahaka full grown crayfish that would most likely do more damage. I'm definitely not worried about the Ctenopoma hurting the Puffer.
Right now, the fish live in relative harmony. Helpful at picking up loose chunks of food, given my Fahaka is so messy :).
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Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32755
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: New to the Group - Fahaka Biotope

Post by Pufferpunk »

ARKproject wrote: Sat Oct 13, 2018 12:28 pm The fish in his tank are doing great now. They don't hide, they eat right beside him, often picking pieces of crayfish or snail that fly off as he eats. They are exhibiting no signs of stress.
If he manages to catch one and eat one, I don't mind as I see no difference morally or philosophically between the current fish being eaten or a crayfish/snail/goldfish.
You may have lucked out in finding the lucky 1% fahaka that allows tank mates. I have one for 19 years who was a very mellow fellow.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
ARKproject
Puffer Fry
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2018 5:38 pm
Location (country): Ontario, Canada

Re: New to the Group - Fahaka Biotope

Post by ARKproject »

So far, the only species that was an issue was a Senegal Bichir that I had to remove after a couple of days. Noticed a few bite marks on his fins and could tell he was visibly stressed.
The other fish are doing great though.
The Microctenopoma were in a 30 gal before and have never looked better since being put in the Fahaka tank.
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