tank mates for f8

The forum for puffers that either live or start in brackish biotopes: GSPs, F8s, Ceylons & more.
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martin day
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tank mates for f8

Post by martin day »

what are the best tank mates for a fig 8 puffer i like the look of bummble bee gobies but can they stay with a fig 8 all its life i know f8 can get a bit aggresive when they get older
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Phaedrus
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Post by Phaedrus »

Bumble bee gobies are the most common tank mates and generally do very well. Hiding spots and territory are important though.
xtc
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Post by xtc »

my lfs has target fish?...white with a circle around their dorsel fin. Pretty cool lookin- anyone have any thoughts?
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MinPins3
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Post by MinPins3 »

My lfs had an Archer Fish with the Figure 8's & GSPs. I considered purchasing one until I found out how big they get - approximately 6".

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Dinsdale
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Post by Dinsdale »

Archer fish need to be in groups, and ultimately require a LOT of space. I would want nothing less than 125 gallons or so.

They get up to 10", not 6".
gsolman6
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Post by gsolman6 »

Anyone try Orange Chromides? Black Mollies?
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CoreyK
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Post by CoreyK »

gsolman6 wrote:Anyone try Orange Chromides? Black Mollies?
I know people have had luck with both (I actually plan on trying some chromides this summer); but, like any living creature, each puffer has its own temperament, and it will depend on the individual puffer whether or not it will enjoy tankmates.

My figure 8's seem rather docile and live with 2 Knight Gobies. Very little aggression between any of them, other than kick-outs (the gobies are VERY territorial).
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puffergeek
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Post by puffergeek »

I have had good luck with black mollies and BB gobies as roommates for my F8... but I still check fins for nipping every day.

So far (two years now) things have worked okay, but I'm always ready if things go bad someday. I've become a fan of the "puffer-by-themselves" school of thought.
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Post by Nick »

I tried a molly with Shakespeare, but it followed him around like a trained dog and he was going insane, the molly is now named Mister Moses and spends his days in my GF's 55 gallon community, trying to score with her female molly.
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kjharve
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Post by kjharve »

Go for chromides - nice looking fish and very active. No probs with my F8s at all.
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CoreyK
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Post by CoreyK »

kjharve wrote:Go for chromides - nice looking fish and very active. No probs with my F8s at all.
Do they have much personality?
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kjharve
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Post by kjharve »

yes definitely, they're very active fish. Get a pair, they really interact well and play together.
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CoreyK
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Post by CoreyK »

kjharve wrote:yes definitely, they're very active fish. Get a pair, they really interact well and play together.
Coolio, thanks.
Any agression issues? Are they territorial?
I'm considering adding some in over the summer with my knight goby and figure 8 pairs, just wondering if it will work.
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crazy loaches
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Post by crazy loaches »

Dont forget with something as small as a BB Goby your taking a chance. When I first put my puffers and BBs together within a couple days one of the puffers killed a BB. Since then no problems, others have had much worse luck. Your taking a chance with small tankmates.
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Post by snail »

gsolman6 wrote:Anyone try Orange Chromides? Black Mollies?
I had black moly that got on ok with F8s. She got bit once in a while but didn't seem to be bothered. She did stess out one of the shy F8s a bit though cos she was a real bully. BB gobies got eaten...oops!

My favorite companions for F8s are monos but you need a lot of space for that.
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