Hmm am I wrong here?

josiah · Post by **josiah** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 9:17 pm

I'm on multiple forums and I was wondering if I was wrong with this information.

This is it copied and pasted.

Hi everyone

i have got myself a MBU puffer fish, he is absolutely gorgeous and i want to give him the best life. I cannot believe his wonderful character. He's not like a fish he's like a puppy ha ha, sounds strange i know but its as if he is constantly trying to get my attention. I've named him Chad and i'm sure he already knows i'm his 'mummy' he he.

I actually got him today and was told by my supplier that he is approx 6-8 months old. He looks about 5 inches long. I was originally looking for a smaller MBU however they didn't have one so I asked my supplier about Chad, he asked what size tank i have, which is a 2ft tank and he said it would be suitable for Chad now but would need to be upgraded soon because of the size he grows to. So to be honest i would rather just buy one big tank now instead of buying bigger tanks in stages, i want his life to be stress free so would like to have him settled asap.

If i was to buy a 5ft tank would this be suitable for him when fully grown?

I am slightly worried at the moment though because since having him home (today) i feel myself that he should be in something bigger really, so i removed the ornaments and moved the plants to the side of the tank giving him maximum space for him to swim freely, which he can.

They also advised me to feed him Cockle and give him 4 cockles per week, is this right? and is there something else i should be feeding bcause of his teeth.

At the moment i have him in the tank with my 3inch cochilodon plec, one platty, and four guppies, and my supplier said that he will not attack any of them and they can pretty much go in with any fish. Is this right? When i introdued Chad he did actually lay beside my plec as if he was trying to get a cuddle ha ha but I would rather not have the guilt of any of my fish being eaten.

Its not that i don't trust my suppliers advice but sometimes you just never know so if anyone can help it would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

That was the question. And here's my answer

I can help you a little bit, my advice is take him back, a 5ft is to small, as is a 6ft, 7 ft. The minimum tank size is 1000 us gallons yes they need that much, they get to be 26 in long, and need excellent filtration. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you need to know.

Boxermom · Post by **Boxermom** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 9:20 pm

No, you were not wrong. A mbu needs 1000g when grown. They don't do well in aquaria either from most accounts.

Phaedrus · Post by **Phaedrus** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:57 pm

They don't belong in the trade IMO. Too big for anyone but the most dedicated aquarist to care for properly. It'd be like keeping an elephant in your garage. It's just not fair to the animal.

Boxermom · Post by **Boxermom** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:12 pm

Agreed. Unfortunately there are far too many things that don't belong in the trade that are, and unsuspecting consumers buy them.

Post by **Hilly** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:05 am

An 8-10x3x3 would be a good starting place with some serious filtration so you're still talking 6-700 gallons of water to give adequate turning room for an adult. He may eventually need a bigger tank. I quite like the idea of an indoor pond for one.

sstimac · Post by **sstimac** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:24 am

It's really too bad that some of the coolest fish get absolutely huge. If I had the space, the money, the money and the money I would consider getting an Mbu. A two and half foot puffer, holy cow that would be the best.

josiah · Post by **josiah** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:57 am

I'm thinking of pointing the guy to this forum because I think the advice being given to him is wrong, or am I mistaken? Here's the link to the thread(we had a minor flame war on pages 1 and 2).
http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=181249 it has been locked now but the topic has been re-started here http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=181240

manutius · Post by **manutius** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:20 pm

yeah take it from me as I too have a Mbu. They are great ifsh but you really need somthing of large tropical pond or swimming pool.

DarkEntity · Post by **DarkEntity** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:10 pm

As i said in the 2nd thread a 6x3x3 would be the bare minimum, even then they are a 2ft fish....although i do love Clooney and would steal in a second

josiah · Post by **josiah** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:27 pm

Who has Clooney?

DarkEntity · Post by **DarkEntity** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:05 pm

Manutius

http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/vie ... php?t=7706

josiah · Post by **josiah** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:05 pm

WOW! He's beautiful!

Post by **Pufferpunk** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:24 am

Point them to this article, written by a pufferkeeper of >50 years:
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=150

josiah · Post by **josiah** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:28 am

Just did

.

manutius · Post by **manutius** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:35 am

yeah Clooney is great but I get heavy boots thinking that he really does need a far far bigger tank. I agree that they should only be placed in an aquarium of at least 7 foot long and 3foot front to back.

The Puffer Forum

The Puffer Store

Hmm am I wrong here?

Hmm am I wrong here?