Need Help with Congo Puffer

bsplenden · Post by **bsplenden** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 11:00 am

I would probably be getting one.

I'm thinking of a 2ft X 1ft tank as a permanent house. That enough right?

Next about the sand. I'm adding sand for sure. Is 15cm of sand too much? I only have to stir the sand thoroughly once a week right?

As for the congo itself, what types of crayfish do you guys feed? I used to have a congo too, but after eating a crayfish, it stopped eating and burying itself, and it died 2 days later! I had that guy for months!

Thanks for any help.

Post by **RTR** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 11:27 am

That tank sounds a bit small to me. Two feet by one foot by one foot is only 15 US gallons, and two square feet is not much floor space or swimming/exploring room either. About 30 US gallons is the usual minimum suggestion around here.

Tihsho · Post by **Tihsho** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 5:58 pm

Look for a 40 breeder or a 55. Plenty of flor space.

bsplenden · Post by **bsplenden** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 6:13 pm

I thought they only get to 6" and since they are lurkers won't need THAT much swimming space. How about a 3ft X 1.5ft?

I don't know how to calculate the gallons.

What about the substrate problem?

And of course the crayfish thing.

Thanks.

Adventim · Post by **Adventim** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 6:20 pm

Substrate should be fine grain sand that is as high as the puffer is long. It's a little dramatic. If the puffer is 6" go for 4"-5" sand. You'll need a higher tank than you think when you say they don't need swimming space. They need a lot of sand to bury themselves with, let alone to swim up into a UN-stressable short tank. For example, today at my LFS One tank, could have been 30g X-L(ong) but it's height maybe could have only stretched a good 6".

. How do they expect to make money off a almost flat tank? lol[/b]

Fahakaman · Post by **Fahakaman** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 6:25 pm

I'm pretty sure there are 7.48 gallons per cubic foot.

Tihsho · Post by **Tihsho** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 6:30 pm

Still a larger tank the better. More decor can be added for the puff to hide. As well as more sand can be added for more spots to bury themselves.

lisalisa · Post by **lisalisa** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 7:15 pm

To calculate US gallons:
l x w x h /231

My vote is always for a larger tank. I'm not as excessive as some, but I enjoy seeing the behavior that comes with a lot of room. At times it's dramatically different.

Tihsho · Post by **Tihsho** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 7:26 pm

Yeah, you want to see a big difference in personalities, try having a 2/10 gallon per DP rule. (j/k)

bsplenden · Post by **bsplenden** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:26 am

I guess I know what you guys mean.

5" of sand is alot...

Tank is going to be heavy...

My sand is about 2-3mm. Is that fine enough? I hope it is...

How about cleaning and maintaining the sand?

Tihsho · Post by **Tihsho** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 4:30 pm

Be sure to stir it up every week or so to allow pockets of gases to be released. Other then that just as simple as gravel IMO.

bsplenden · Post by **bsplenden** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:42 pm

Okay. Thanks.

I'll update when I've gotten my puffer.

Tihsho · Post by **Tihsho** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 6:19 pm

Be sure to take pics

bsplenden · Post by **bsplenden** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:11 am

I need to know...

Are there 2 variants of Congo puffers? Or are they the same thing, just that they change their colour (from red to brown or vice versa) according to their environment.

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:49 am

There are many color morphs of the same species. Some change according to their surroundings.

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Need Help with Congo Puffer

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