The Puffer Forum

You can't forget about the poor Pig Nose lol he's gunna get pretty big one day too!

IMHO, no T. mbu should be in less than 1000 gallons, and I personally would not keep another in smaller than a multiple of that.

The T. mbu does not need strong current throughout its tank, but like all other hunter-predators which I have kept, they do enjoy and play in the current - it is likely quite important exercise in their developing a normal body configuration. But but they should also have areas with lesser current for rest and sleep. I freely admit that the common overweight hunter-predators so often seen in photos bother me - they is not they way they are supposed to lookl, and it indicates to me that they have an unhealthy lifestyle. It is the common issues of too much food and too little exercise. Fat fish are not healthy anymore than fat dogs or cats (or people) are.

Do not expect the T. mbu to ever keep its caudal fin fully spread. That is used primarily in turning, and also in the rare bouts of sudden or quick bursts of speed. When the latter do happen, you will know - such large fish moving fast produce sizable bow waves and resultant wet floors. That is a tiny price to pay for such glorious fish. Mine was as much fully a family member as any dog I have had.

HTH

blondmyth wrote:i meant my pig nose turtle, not pig nose puffer. cheers

Your turtle shouldn't mind the tub.

yeah he doesnt. Happily in its own tub right now.

RTR wrote:IMHO, no T. mbu should be in less than 1000 gallons, and I personally would not keep another in smaller than a multiple of that.

The T. mbu does not need strong current throughout its tank, but like all other hunter-predators which I have kept, they do enjoy and play in the current - it is likely quite important exercise in their developing a normal body configuration. But but they should also have areas with lesser current for rest and sleep. I freely admit that the common overweight hunter-predators so often seen in photos bother me - they is not they way they are supposed to lookl, and it indicates to me that they have an unhealthy lifestyle. It is the common issues of too much food and too little exercise. Fat fish are not healthy anymore than fat dogs or cats (or people) are.

Do not expect the T. mbu to ever keep its caudal fin fully spread. That is used primarily in turning, and also in the rare bouts of sudden or quick bursts of speed. When the latter do happen, you will know - such large fish moving fast produce sizable bow waves and resultant wet floors. That is a tiny price to pay for such glorious fish. Mine was as much fully a family member as any dog I have had.

HTH

I have to agree about the "fat fish" comment. Too many people overfeed, thinking a fat fish is a healthy fish. My Fahaka is in a 150 gallon with a Koralia 4 and a sump with a turnover of 800+ gallons per hour (oh, and an AC110 at one end). There is a lot of current in the tank and he loves it! Always swimming from end to end with some quick bursts when he enters the Koralias flow stream. He is a nice slim specimen (only 6" or so right now) and gets a nice "plump bellly" only after feeding.

As for the fan tail, RTR is right again. Mine only does this when turning, or facing the higher current parts of the tank.

an mbu at about 4 to 5 inches, feeding once a day, 6 days a week, thats okay right?

i dont want to overfeed him.

my mbu grew only about an inch or so during the past 4 months. this could be due to me being lazy sometimes and only feeding 2-3 times a week.

is his growth normal? will he be stunted?

How big is his tank? What foods are you feeding? Vitamins? Water parameters? Water change schedule? Filtration? All of this will determine the general health & growth potential of your fish.