Teeth Care - Pumps and getting my puffer

[Pippin]

Hi Folks

Been down to visit the fish shop, still a little puzzled as to what type he is - he has a very flat head (if you know what I mean) Yellow with black/brown strips across his body like tiger stripes. The keeper says he is possibly about 18months to two years and he is about 2 inches. The card on the tank refers to a dwarf,the shop keep says he is a common green puffer.

You can see a pic here on my meet and greet thread
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/vie ... php?t=8191

I have fallen in love with this little guy and his personality he seems very active, friendly and alert to any attention given to him. BUT I am concerned about his teeth.

If I buy him and his teeth are long will a good course of snails etc wear them down or am I best to avoid buying him and get one that has shorter teeth. They don't look excessively long but his lips are constantly open which makes me think his teeth maybe too long.

The other thing is the keeper says and under gravel filter is best, when I thought they weren't recommended...again I'm left feeling confused.

I have bought a tank that came with a pump that sticks to the side of the tank. Should I stick with this one or buy an under gravel pump or should I use both?

The man at the shop says he will be getting some more in and will possibly be smaller than this current one so he will be able to tell them apart. He will try to hold on to the one I have fallen in love with until I am ready (hopefully next week) to pick one up. He kindly gave me some of the water that this one has been living in to start off in the tank so the water will have some of the properties that the puffer is used to..

Please if anyone can offer and words of wisdom I'd be so grateful as I am setting my tank up this weekend in the hope to get my Puffer next weekend.

Thanks
px


PS) how often should I change the water in a 46L tank? is 50% water change recommended and if so should the water be warmed to temp before being put in? If I use tap water how long should I let it stand for before adding it - or does it need treating with something to get the chemicals out? Can I use rain water or again does it need treating?

[Boxermom]

I still believe that is an SAP. My experience with SAPs is that they need dental work every few months and mine did come with slightly overgrown teeth that did not wear down with snails. Mine have a diet solely of snails and still the teeth overgrow.

I would avoid underground filters unless they are set up as reverse flows. Its much easier IMO to use an HOB filter instead.

The tank needs to be cycled before getting puffers, as they are very sensitive to ammonia and nitrite poisoning, and cycling takes approximately 4-6 weeks. I recommend a fishless cycle.

However, you should be aware that a 46L tank is not really sufficient for an SAP. We recommend 15 gallons, or about 56L. Believe me, the extra space does make a difference, especially with these guys. They are very active and seem to like a lot of current.

[Pippin]

Thanks for your help.... I am so determined to get it right, it will break my heart for my new puffer-pal to go belly up cos of something I did wrong.

I think in this case I am much more than a week off of getting my puffer - I am still very confused. What I'm being told and what I'm reading and being told here is very different...I really value your experience and the time you send helping me with my questions, hence my barrage of questions here amongst you all.

The tank I have here at home is bigger than the one he is being kept in at the shop. I have visited him three times and every time he is very active happy and healthy (except for his teeth). He has nothing to hide behind or explore and is just in a warm tank of rain water from what I can tell....I feel I could give him a far better home! I just don't want to get him home and him not be healthy or worse the "D" word.

So I'll learn about cycling the tank - I don't mind how long I have to wait as long as I get it right.

Thanks again, I have just had a reply from messy_da_legend who is from my area how has given me a couple of shops which I am going to visit to see their stock - maybe as a I am a little concerned about the one I have found that I should look around and find one that I know will definitely be suitable and one I can definitely identify so I know how to care for it correctly.

Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks

[Boxermom]

What you need to remember is we here have a great deal of shared experience in puffer keeping and are only interested in the best welfare of the fish. Very few store clerks know anything about their proper care and are primarily motivated by being able to sell you stuff.

Also, don't judge a fish's temperament or care by what you see in stores. They are usually very stressed from being shipped and being kept in inappropriate conditions. Once they settle into their new homes, they often change quite a bit. Most LFSes highly overstock their tanks, but that doesn't mean its a good idea to do at home.