The only puffer that I've kept which was expensive was the T.mbu. They were not in the USA at the time, so a request was relayed through an importer to the Stanley pool area on the Congo, there were a number of international calls and telexes involved, plus the shipping, plus a special trip to meet the box at Customs, and a bit of an elevated price for the fish itself. That was not trivial, but in relation to the cost of a 180 plus a 120 plus two 40-longs, 8-9 internal canisters, three external canisters and few pumps and lots of lights, the fish cost was still trivial.
I cannot imagine a fish which would cost much in relation to the support system for it. The support system costs are long-term, but with most puffers, so are the fish. Compared to dogs, puffers are dirt cheap. I do freely admit to being demanding on equipment, but that does make my life easier in the long run.
We paid a tenner for each of our fish...F8s. In total, I reckon we've spent about 500GBP on them in the past 14 months...including food, salt and Stress Coat..the maintenance costs, as it were.
They're about due for another 25GBP test kit, and a second filter when I finally get them in that 35G.
And some more plants...and some more glassware.....
Ah...but when you see their little faces.....you realise that they're priceless.....
I bought my first puffers recently. Three dwarf puffers at $2 each at Petsmart. I never realized such inexpensive fish could turn out to be so expensive! So far, I think I've got about $200 investing into their happy home. There is a 20 gallon tank, Bio-spira to cycle the tank (never had to do that with any of my other fish), filter, decorations, heater and food.
As far as I know, the only things remaining I need to get are a water testing kit (and whatever else that indicates I need to get) and I've got to find my aquarium cleaning supplies - gravel vacuum (or whatever you call it) and a bucket.
Oh yeah, and my aquarium is currently in my basement. There is not a sink down here yet, but we do have a half bathroom rough-in, so in theory all we need to do is buy a sink and hook it up. Once I get that, I may look into getting one of those things - a Python? One of those things that you hook up to the sink and it drains and refills the tank for you?
1 x T. baileyi 200 USD
2 x T. palembangensis 90 USD
3 x C. irrubesco 20 USD
These are the only puffers Ive paid in full.
My others have been for free or at cost price.
I help out with identification & information on puffers.
There are several LFS whos using me as a consultant.
My Puffers: Puffers I have kept: T lineatus T miurus A modestus T biocellatus C valentini C coranata C papuan C lorteti DPs suvattii burrfish T niphobles
The most I've paid was $50 for my red Congo, Punkster, at Aquabid. I believe it may have been another $10 or so for shipping. She was only 1", at the time. She's worth every penny.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
Pufferpunk wrote:The most I've paid was $50 for my red Congo, Punkster, at Aquabid. I believe it may have been another $10 or so for shipping. She was only 1", at the time. She's worth every penny.
