The Puffer Forum

So do you guys think multiples of these fish could live in a community tank? I'm thinking of ordering 3 for my 180g SA cichlid tank.

We have Cryptoheros nanoluteus and Cichlasoma salvini Candelaria. I have never tried the salvini with my SAPs because the salvini can be aggressive, but I have periodically had a couple of nanoluteus in with the SAPs when we have had to move juveniles around, and the cichlids have always taken over the tank. They end up being boss over the SAPs. I haven't wanted to try any of the cichlids in with the schoutedeni because the latter are only 1.5" right now, and I don't want to risk anything happening to the schoutedeni's with them being a harder to find puffer. Put it this way, I don't think these puffers would bother your SA's. I'd worry about it being the other way around if you have spawning cichlids.

I think 3 schoutedeni could live just fine in a 180 g tank with non-aggressive fish.

OK, so my 180 is my aggressive SAC tank, with 2 very large Pikes that could easily swallow a 2" fish. I do have a gentler 120g SAC tank but it has many rare smaller plecos in there. Also, that tank is pretty much at full capacity.
The puffer won't pick on sedentary fish?

I have had Corydoras sterbai swim all around and even over the schoutedeni when I have fed worms. The puffers haven't bothered anything. My pleco is 3" and also has been left alone. However, I don't have rare fish in the tank along with the puffers that I would be very concerned if something happened. Since my puffers are still young, I will continue to keep a watchful eye as they age. I found so little about them online that I will be experimenting with conditions and tank mates over time.

They really have been peaceful with tank mates, like I had read, and have only shown territory-claiming with each other....not with other tank mates. Once they figured out the pecking order among the 3 of them, they have even ended up "roosting" at night somewhat near each other. They settle onto plant leaves or java moss. They seem to be hanging out in only one half of the tank (the right end and the middle), but they hardly do much on the left end. I'm not sure why.

I feed them every day. My tank has pool filter sand on the bottom and has plenty of plants. I provide additional current. They have eaten most foods right away....even testing some of the pellets for the cories. They are not aggressive with each other over food EXCEPT for SNAILS! They are possessive of snails, so I make sure to spread out the snails I drop into the tank. They are very curious. They immediately come out when I enter the room. They beg. They check out the siphon tube, they watch anything I put into the tank...like a net or a finger. They aren't nervous. They don't seem nippy.

So, that's all I have for now. Maybe the others with schoutedeni can provide us with their observations. There is so little information about them that it would be great to share experiences.

Mike16T wrote: ↑Tue Apr 04, 2017 5:07 pm Anyway.... Can someone please give information on what to look to determine the gender of Tetraodon Schoutedeni..

The only thing I have seen mentioned regarding a visible difference is from the Aqualog site. https://www.aqualog.de/en/blog-en/top-i ... mber-2015/

"The males seem to show a more contrasting pattern and to have longer snouts."

Great observations, thanks!

Do you think there'd be aggression with each other by keeping just 2 of them?

lobowind wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2017 5:05 am

Mike16T wrote: ↑Tue Apr 04, 2017 5:07 pm Anyway.... Can someone please give information on what to look to determine the gender of Tetraodon Schoutedeni..

The only thing I have seen mentioned regarding a visible difference is from the Aqualog site. https://www.aqualog.de/en/blog-en/top-i ... mber-2015/

"The males seem to show a more contrasting pattern and to have longer snouts."

Finally, an article to rely on... ^_^ Thanks for this!!

I just checked Wetspot's list & they're not on there!

Pufferpunk wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2017 10:10 am Do you think there'd be aggression with each other by keeping just 2 of them?

Having multiple targets seems to help if a species is described as having conspecific aggression. That was part of the reason I chose to get 3, plus an increased chance of getting both sexes.

I read someone's description that they can have a little aggression toward each other but that it wasn't very serious. So far, I'd say that has been true. There was an initial period of territory-claiming, but now they seem to be fine. My fish are not mature yet, so we will see if things change in the future.

I "think" 2 would be fine together in the size tanks you have, but of course, you really won't know unless you try it. One thing is if it doesn't work out, you can always move 1 schoutedeni into another tank since they seem pretty reliable with other types of fish (if you have several other tanks.)

Pufferpunk wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2017 5:14 pm I just checked Wetspot's list & they're not on there!

Contact Jeff Michaels at AquaticClarity.com

My husband has known Jeff for 25 years, and we've always been pleased with the fish we have ordered from him. The schoutedeni he shipped to us were in great shape. He made sure they were feeding, keeping them 2 weeks before he ever shipped them to me. Let him know Mike and Amy Downey sent you to him.

Just checked their stock list--not on there.

You have to ask Jeff to order them. He doesn't stock up on them.

Found them here: http://www.amazon-exotic-import.de/stocklist.htm

Great! Do you have someone that can import them for you since they aren't located in the U.S.?