Sorry I am late to the party..it has been a busy weekend!!! And my father came to visit and controlled the internet.
I am actually feeling kind of happy for this mbu. Because he is in a much better situation than most.
I think for a while your puffer might get along with those fish in a 600 gallon, at least long enough for you to save money to build him a separate tank. At least in the 600, provided clean water, he most likely will not suffer and deformation.
Puffers in general are not good with tank mates but if any fish could do it (for a short period) it would be a MBU.
Here is a video of a MBU in an 810.
Please note, this tank is overstocked and I really do not like the types of fish in there, but I am just showing with this video that tankmates can sometimes be tolerated. In addition, with this many fish, the water quality will be a definite issue when the MBU gets bigger, water quality is probably already an issue at this point. Also, when this MBU gets more age on him...it will probably be dinner time..
MBU 810
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsDjcfrGMpg
I think (If I were you), that if you do decide to put the mbu in the 600..or if you decide to keep the mbu in the hospital tank ( temporarily until you have another tank)..you should definitely read up on over filtration and the use of veggie filters if you have not already. RTR has done some amazing work in that area.
Bio filtration vs. Water Changes -
RTR
library/water-filtration/waterfiltration/
Veggie Filters -
RTR
library/water-filtration/veggiefiltersrtr/
Scroll down to see a veggie filter, pic 5 -
RTR
http://gwapa.org/wordpress/2007/08/august-2007-meeting/
I think you will probably fall in love with this MBU, just like you did with the Turtle. And by then you will have the means to provide a more suitable home for the MBU, with fewer tankmates (maybe a few workers).
Also, just a thought. The MBU doesn't necessarily need a tank.....you could also add a nice water feature (heated) to your house that holds enough gallons (might be a nice DIY project and might increase your house's value)-just be prepared for a jumper LOL. Google DIY ponds for some ideas. Or make a pond for the turtle??
Please note that I said words like..*might*, *for a short while*, *sometimes*, *if*, *temporarily*, and *at least*......with a puffer, a large puffer, nothing is certain except the probability that disaster awaits
And please note that I am not a MBU expert and I highly recommend you PMing RTR (a MBU expert) for more advice. You can do that here -
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