Puffer Comptability

[Rayquaza]

Hi!

I'm going to be setting up a 30 gallon puffer tank. I'm wondering if small species of plecostomus would be compatible with them. I LOVE plecostomus, so I know the importance of PLENTY of hiding places. I will be getting two Zoo-Med 212 Power Sweep Powerheads. Will this be sufficient current for the puffers? Thanks!
Rayquaza

[Boxermom]

What kind of puffers? I think it depends on the type of puffer and their individual personality.

[Myaj]

Yes, without knowing the type of puffer and the water you will be keeping them in (fresh, brackish, marine) that question can not be answered.

However, there are not many pleco's I would keep in a 30 gallon tank (certianly not a common pleco), only bristlenoses, rubbernoses and other small species like clowns. These are all freshwater species, so if your intended puffer is anything other than freshwater, the answer is no. If it is a freshwater species, it will depend on the species and the individual aggression level.

[Rayquaza]

Hi!

My tank is freshwater and I am only planning to keep the small species of Plecos. I have a 55 gallon tank, so any Plecos that have outgrown the tank will be moved to there. Would Figure-eight puffers or Tetraodon Mbu work in the tank? Thanks!

[Boxermom]

Figure 8s require brackish tanks. Mbus require 1000g tanks (yes, that's one thousand gallons). So that would be a no on those two. The only puffer I would risk with any other fish is an SAP, but you'll almost certainly have to do dental work on them even with a steady diet of snails.

[Rayquaza]

Hi Boxermom!

Sorry, I'm new to puffers and am not sure as to what is an SAP? Are there any other small puffers that would work? I don't necessarily have to have plecos, so I'm open to brackish as well. Thanks!

[Boxermom]

South American puffers. Info on them is in our Pufferpedia. You might want to take a look around there, although there aren't many commonly available that will fit in a 30g tank. Where are you located?

[Rayquaza]

Hi!

I'm in Central Florida. I'll look at the PufferPedia. Thanks! I'll try to get some pics soon. I know that the puffers like current and am wondering if two Zoo-med Power Sweep 212 Powerheads supply enough current? Thanks!

[Boxermom]

IME, some like current, some don't. Depends on the type of puffer. I can't say about that particular powerhead as I've never used one. Two is likely to be too much for a 30g tank though. Even those that like current don't like too much, not enough to shove them around a lot, and they'll definitely need places to go to get out of it.

[manutius]

If you plan to stay freshwater I would say either Dwarf puffers or SAP as Boxer says. Keeping them with plecs is your call though as some puffers might fancy a little nip at them. If it was my choice I wouldn't put them with other fish. You could have a nice group of about 6 Dwarf puffers or there is the possiblity of having a larger lurker puffer like T.miurus ot T. suvatti, they are my favourite puffers after my Mbu who as Boxersays would be very cramped in a 30G

[Rayquaza]

Hi!

What do you mean by dental work? I'm aware of the fact that I need to provide hiding spots as my favorite fish are Plecos and Puffers. I have plans for putting in rockwork/hiding spots for Plecos for protection and the like. The powerheads are not rated for a 30 gallon, so the combined current should be the normal for a 30. I'd prefer the group of Dwarf Puffers or SAP. My pH is 7.0, so does that narrow it down to what the puffers would like better? I know that it is fine for the Plecos. Thanks for all the help!

[Boxermom]

Not all puffers need hiding spots or caves. But if you are adding a great deal of current, you need to provide places for it/them to get away from it and rest. pH doesn't matter as long as its stable. If you are going to have a pleco in the same tank, I would recommend the SAPs over the dwarves. There's an article on dental work at the top of the hospital forum that you should read first though.

[Rayquaza]

Hi!

I'm using Proper pH 7.0, so the pH should remain stable. I'll go for the SAPs then, rather than the dwarves, because I've never had a tank suitable for species of Pleco other than the common one. I'll supply spots that the puffers can get out of the current. I can also diffuse the current, but not obviously. I did that in my 55 gallon community tank. I'll look at that article before I get my SAPs. I set the tank up on Sunday, so what would you recommend as a good cycling time? I have some live plants and sufficient lighting, so the nitrogen cycle should be over soon. Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it!

[Boxermom]

I highly recommend against using Proper pH or any other chemical product to adjust your pH. Most fish can adjust to any pH, but using chemicals to adjust it is asking for trouble.

How long the cycle takes depends on how you are cycling the tank. Please read the following article. The tank must be fully cycled before any fish are added, particularly puffers, which will take much longer than a week unless you are using Biospira or filter media/gravel/decor from an existing cycled tank.
http://aquariumboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26

If you go with SAPs, I wouldn't recommend more than 2, max.

[manutius]

I have to aggree with non-use of chemicals, what is your tapwater ph?