Should i purchase a Fahaka?

[donaldinc]

Hi guys! This is my first post on this puffer forum. This is a very nice forum and i was wondering if i can get some info. from you experts!
I was contemplating on purchasing the Fahaka puffer because of the beautiful color patterns and their lively personality. My question is as i have noticed while visiting the fish stores on fresh water puffers such as the Mbu/Fahaka. They have been pretty much in a still state and not very active. I read on certain previous post that they can be nocturnal fishes. Is this true? Where they will usually be unactive in the daytime and more active at night; because i really want a puffer to be active and swimming around a lot. I have a 125 gallon glass tank, so there will be plenty of room to swim around. Please help! Any comments are welcome. Thank You.

[Bred]

Hi, welcome!

Fahakas are definitely not nocturnal. They are most active during the day and sleep during lights-out. I believe the same is true of Mbus.

Fahakas at least are in "hide-mode" at the store due to the cramped conditions and aggression. A fahaka in a single species-only tank has the potential to be an active to very-active swimmer.

Mbus get extremely large, requiring tanks over and above 300 gallons as adults, so I would advise against purchasing one. Fahakas are indeed lovely & lively fish. Very personable.

[donaldinc]

Thank you so much for your very insightful advise. Your advise may be very well the advise i need in order to go ahead and purchase one. I was wondering if there are ways to promote active puffer activity?

[RTR]

For the jumbo puffers such as Fahakas and mbus, just clear water and lots of swimming room - with a bit of current (they are river fish primarily).

[Rocker]

Yeah ditto RTR. Get a big enough tank for them and don't fill it with too much decor.Allow space for them to swim and they will!

[OdiE-ThE-Fahaka]

how do can u make the current increase?

[Bred]

The addition of internal powerheads or external filters will increase the current, or water movement, in the tank. All powerheads and filters have a max. pump or flow rating, measured in gallons per hour (GPH). These give an approximation of how much water they are capable of pushing.