Do Fahakas like plants if so what can you suggest

[Neilsie]

I recently got hold of a 6" Fahaka I paid £30 for him which is very cheap according to my local fish shop. These fish are very rarily sold in fish shops in the UK. I wondered whether they like plants if so any suggestions?

Neil [/b]

[Ariadne]

Well... Id suggest starting small and cheap to see how it goes. It seems its different for every fahaka and every fishkeeper. My fish loves his plants. He uses them for cover, seems to enjoy zipping through to chase his prey, and even tries to lounge in the thickest leaves though they can scarcely hold his weight anymore. He has been in a planted tank since he was an inch long though. I have heard of fahakas who destroyed greenery with mad zeal. Ripping plants up so vigorously it turned the tank water foggy green. There is also the issue of maintaining your plants and putting your hands and fingers in the tank to work. It is a risk, those teeth crunching fingers /shiver. I have been careful to do my gardening during his low activity hours and have a spotter on hand to monitor what he is doing and what he is looking at. Its a risky venture planting a fahaka tank at best, but I really enjoy it and it pleases me that he allows it. I think he likes wisteria the most.

[Myaj]

Hi Neal. Welcome to the forum! As Ariadne said, its different for every Fahaka, some will chomp plants to bits, others leave them alone. Some will leave certain types of plants alone, and destroy others. You'll just have to see what your puffer does.

But its also a great idea, if you do try live plants, to go with slow growers such as crypts, where you don't have to worry about pruning. As Ariadne said, they can give a nasty bite when they are bigger.

Did your store also tell you how large they get and what size tank you will need for your new puffer? At least 120 gallons, look for a tank that is at least 2 feet front to back and 4 feet long, to allow for turning room. These guys get big and are fast growers, so you'll need a big tank for him very quickly.

[Boxermom]

I've got silk plants with mine, as I don't want to have to stick my hand in the tank when he's 12+ inches long to do gardening.

[manutius]

I've got silk plants with mine, as I don't want to have to stick my hand in the tank when he's 12+ inches long to do gardening.

Very wise