New Puff

[SkeptikaL]

Ok, so, I'm thinking about getting another puff (assuming I can find a spot outta the way in my dorm room...) But anyhow... They sell a fish at work called "Something Butterfly Puffer". I'll look for the sure name tomorrow, but I like it. It's a canthigaster of some kind... But, well, the PufferList.com if very limited on SW puffs, and can't surely ID it from Marine puff pics... It looks to me like it may be either a Canthigaster bennetti or a Canthigaster solandri. It looks like a lighter version of the C. Solandri, but it also looks like the C. Bennetti, however, can someone lemme know for sure, but the specimen in the pic seems to be too young/small to tell for sure... The one at the store it maybe 2 inches? I dunno. Like I said, I'll look more closely tomorrow. I do remember he had vibrant colors and his skin was like pinkish? Yellow belly. Maybe tomorrow I'll get a picture.

But anyhow, does anyone have any info on these guys? Or at least the Canthigaster genus? (I think that's the name of that label) How old they get? Are they 'community' or what? Can you mix the species within that genus? Also basics would be nice... Tank size, diet, anything? It would be much appreciated. However, if I can't find support on these lil guys, I won't bother with em. I'll take a different path...

Also, any more info on the Hawaiian Spotted Puff? Seen em around too. Latin name? Tank size? etc?

Thanks for any help.

[SkeptikaL]

Like I said, I'll try n get a pic, but it seems like this puff is somewhat unknown about around here so I'm not gonna bother with it... It's in with 'community' fish I believe, but it's all good.

But what I am now wondering, can you have a SW tank without live rock? I might get a GSP, but I I think I only really want that white base rock in my tank...

[jada]

Yes, it is absolutely possible to have a SW without live rock. Just make sure you have a good skimmer.

[Pufferpunk]

The $$$ you save by not using LR, will be spent on salt for 50% weekly water changes. Less WC are needs w/the extra filtration from LR. Check your local reef clubs for great deals on LR. I've gotten it as cheap as $1/lb.

Look here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forum ... forumid=80

[SkeptikaL]

Ok, the Puff is called a "Honeycomb Puffer", or atleast thats what its labeled as... Its really colorful! It has a lot of pinks and yellows and light blues. It east frozen greens and some mysis shrimp and daphnia. It does well with many community fish. Anyone know the Latin name of htis joker?

[Pufferpunk]

Very pretty! Some kind of sharpnosed/toby. Not to be trusted w/most corals & other fish.

[SkeptikaL]

Yea, I think I've decided against it... Its a gorgeous puff, but not what I'm looking for... not now... He's something I'll add to my puff collection when I'm in a home and can have a bigger line of puffs... But I do think I'll get a GSP if I find room in the dorm. Good puff I'm sure. My work sells a 37 gallon tall tank, which unfortunately is really the only option due to it takes up WAY less space... He'll be in there solo, and I'm praying like hell he wont be a coral eater... (It's a hit or miss deal, right? Some do, others don't?)

Also, do GSPs mess with SW snails? Or will they leave em be?

[Pufferpunk]

they will definately eat snails. I had to rehome my 3, cause they were picking at my corals/LR.

[SkeptikaL]

dang... so I'll have to maintenance the algea myself?

[Adam_J]

dang... so I'll have to maintenance the algea myself?

For the most part with predators/marine fish only tanks, yes the aquarist will be the "clean-up-crew", however if you are able to stay on top of nutrient problems there will be less nuissance algae problems. The best way to do this is refugia, large water-changes and of course an efficient protein skimmer.

[Pufferpunk]

Adam, as long as this thread was on the subject of Tobies, can you tell me if one species is safer w/corals (mostly zoas) than others?

[Adam_J]

Funny enough;

It seems lately that there is an interesting epidemic of reef-keepers risking animals in their bio-topes that are not “commonly-recognized” as reef-safe animals, mostly angels but tobies (puffers) and even triggers are making that list lately. (I hope everyone does not read that as a recommendation to run out and try it, lol)

Most of the cnidarians/corals that I am personally willing to risk (the ones I have seen the highest success rate with) are noxious (toxic if you will) soft corals, such as Zoanthus (Aooanthids) and Sinularia (Spaghetti Leather). In my experience most juvy tobbies will ignore these altogether, and even if they do nip at these type of corals it is not on a regular basis and these corals seem to be better/hardier at withstanding a little pruning here and there. If I was a tobie enthusiast and had to have one in my reef, I would be willing to risk most tobies with a few exceptions (those that are more boisterous and have larger adult sizes, mostly Hawaiian specimens and those few tobies that max out around 7” or so) such as;

**Hawaiian Sharpnose: (Canthigaster sp.)

Also it may be easier to plan the cnidarians/coral around the tobie than the toby around the coral, heres a few good coral hardier coral specimens:

**Protopalythoa sp.)
**Pachyclavularia sp.)
**Palythoa sp.)
**Protopalythoa vestitus
**Rhodactis sp.)
**Lobophytum sp.)
**Paralemnalia sp.,
**Lemnalia sp.)

DISCLAIMER: No guarantees, puff’s and any fish experiences are subject to different personas, it can work beautifully or it may be a disaster, one experience is not indicative of the species as a whole. Furthermore I would still not trust adults with motile invert’s including astrea snails and Lystmata shrimp.

Adam J.

[Pufferpunk]

So the Hawaiian would be the only species you might suggest for my tank? I would sure love the Valentini or blue/pink spot.

[Adam_J]

No sorry, I meant to say the larger hawaiin ones, are the the only ones I wouldn't be willing to risk, others I would give a try.

[Pufferpunk]

So that includes the Valentini (sorry, not up on locales yet on these fellows)? Which are your faves?