The Puffer Forum

Ok, so I have a 20 gallon tank that has been cycling for over a week now...although I plan on getting another filter and air stone before I add a fish. I have been doing a lot of research about what fish I want and I just can't say no to a pufferfish. After looking at all of the freshwater pufferfish available for a 20 gallon tank it looks like a Red Tailed Red Eyed Puffer is a good option.

I was wondering what type of environment is best for them. Should I have sand or gravel, or does it matter? I know they need lots of plants, what type of plants would be best? Is there anything special that I need to know?

Sorry about all of the questions, I just want everything to be perfect for the little guy or gal before I it.

I'm glad to see you're doing some research, I'm guessing you're talking about C. irrubesco. Just keep in mine that these are quite agressive, even for puffers, so other fish will likely just get shredded.

Whether you use sand or gravel is really your preference. In my opinion gravel is much easier to clean than sand. If you're going to use live plants, then there are some great planted substrates on the market (I use Eco-complete).

If you're going to use fake plants then there are a ton of natural looking silk plants that you could use. A nice piece of sinking drift wood would look great as well.

It's strange to see people writing that the C.Irrubesco is one of the more aggressive species, as everywhere I have looked has said they are one of the most mild mannered puffers around.

As I understand it, with C. irrubesco it's really a gamble. A friend of mine had 2 females and 1 male and the male killed the 2 females... You just never know.

Also pufferboy how are you cycling your tank? Have you read the article about fishless cycling in the library?
As for plants, it depends on your set up and the light you'll have available.

Mareva wrote:As I understand it, with C. irrubesco it's really a gamble. A friend of mine had 2 females and 1 male and the male killed the 2 females... You just never know.

Mareva is right! You can get irrubescos who are nice, and you can get irrubescos who are aggressive. And still, if you get a nice one, it can turn some day. Someone I know of had a very mild irrubesco male. And he lived happily together with his wife for a long, long time, until one day he just killed her. I've got a very nice pair as well. Earlier they used to sleep together. They've stopped doing that now, so it looks like they are separating a bit. This is when I really have to watch out for any signs of aggression. So far it's been good, but you never know when they will turn on each other, if they do it.

I had read the article after I had set up the tank, I have 2 live plants, used one of my friends old filters for 3 days. On the 3rd day I removed the filter and added 2 goldfish (I was told to do this by petco and hadn't read the article until 2 days ago). Today is day 10 of the cycle and unfortunately I woke up this morning and the last of the goldfish had past away. I will no longer be buying any fish until I get the puffer, although I am going to wait 2 to 3 weeks until I do add it, and only after I get the water tested.

I had asked about the live plants and fake plants because I am pretty much expecting the live ones to die, and only am using them because I was told that they would jump start my tank. After they die I plan to buy fake ones after reading the helpful replies.

At first I was only planning on getting one pufferfish for my tank and nothing else, although after reading what was said I would like to have 2 in my tank if that is possible. I really like pufferfish because they seem to be the only extremely inteligent and pet like fish that I can actually develop some what of a friendship with besides that I feed them and clean their home.

I do have one more question and that is whether there is a good fishstore in the TwinCities area of Minnesota that would carry these beautiful fish..

Thank you for all of the replies and if anyone has anymore helpful information I would really like to know.

Be sure to do your research Your tank doesn't sound safe for puffers YET... maybe soon.

If the GF died in there, they could have been carrying something. I mean, did you see the tank they were living in? Probably not a very healthy environment. I'd start over & clean out the tank very well--everything: filters, substrate decor. You can use bleach (50/50) or Oxiclean (I prefer the latter). Give it a good rinsing & star over with a fishless cycle.

The tank that the GF's came from was clean and I doubt that they would have any disease because their last couple hours of life usually included gluping of air or swimming in the corner, which I've read to be signs of new tank syndrome, and while I observed them at the fish store they all seemed to be active and healthy. Lack of oxygen in the water due to the cycling of the tank and an over amount of amonia/nitrates would cause a sudden decline in fish health rather than a disease immediately succumbing both of them in a matter of days.

For cyclig the tank look at this..

Good luck!!

http://www.bestfish.com/newtank3.html

This is also good info...

http://www.bestfish.com/breakin.html

Thank you for those links, they helped a lot. I'm not sure if I will add another, stronger fish after a week or so, or just wait it out until the levels of ammonia drop significantly. I do know however that I am going to get a test kit, this guessing and hoping is for the birds from what I have seen.