The Puffer Forum

Hi!
I am setting up a 55 gallon densly planted freshwater aquarium. I have long had a fascination with puffers but have not been able to keep any thus far. I had a red eyed puffer a few years ago, but it never lasted long because of my lack of knowledge and bad advice. While I did have it I found it to be an interesting fish, but not as active as I'd like and perhaps a little Too shy for my liking. Of course I realize my lack of proper care(I was told he was backish and he came from a brackish tank at the store) was probably the main factor causing this, but I have read that they are a less active puffer anyway.
I was thinking of a pair or harem (unsure of which they prefer-I haven't done a lot of research yet) of amazon puffers. I have read they are more peaceful then most puffers (although I do realize it could be somewhat individual based) and more active, enjoying a higher water flow then many puffers.
Has anyone got any of these guys? How do you find them, personality wise? Also, I have read that even with a daily supply of snails, these guys teeth grow quite long quickly and need filing...ok, so HOW exactly does one go about filing a fishes teeth?
Also I would like to keep some other types of fish with my puffers. I have read that these guys are the most suited to tankmates. Any suggestions on what? I love clown loaches(just to throw it out there). I assume a clown pleco or some smaller species of pleco would be ok, any other ideas or comments?
Oh! also, would I have a problem keeping my tanks plants in good order? I know everything I have read says they like a planted tank, but, I also know that snail hang out on plants and I am concerned the puffer would destroy plants looking for a tasty treat.
I guess, this was a long post. Sorry, I just thought I would throw all my current questions out at once. I am setting the tank up this weekend, and would like to begin my planning. I have to get my LFS to special order my puffer as they don't usually stock fresh or brackish puffers, just marine. I do know that puffers need a mature tank because of sensitivities they have. How long should a tank be running before introducing a puffer? and If I use the water from a 25 gallon that has been running for a couple years (my 2 kribinses died a couple of weeks ago after being left in someones care during vacation) to start the 55 off, would that make much if any difference do you think. I am not in a rush to get it all going, I like being able to slowly add to and work on my tanks, I just like to have all my facts upfront.
Thanks Again!

You should be able to have a harem (4-5) of SAPs in a 55g and they do fine with tank mates. The only problem that might arise is some fin nipping of longer flowing fins but I personally haven't had to much of a problem with this. This is personnally in my top two favorites for puffers.

You can also get away with having Dwarf puffers in there as well if you are interested in multiple species of puffers. These little guys are also very easy to care for and they have the same basic temperment as a SAP. They are also a lot easier to find. You could have five of each in your 55g with no problems at all.

Yes there teeth grow alot and you will need to read the teeth trimming article in the puffer library. The library is located near the top of the page under the learn tab. Also check out feeding protocol for puff as well since flake food will not work as well.

Just take the old filter media or the whole filter from your 25g and use it in conjunction with your 55g filter and that will cycle the tank very quickly..a day or two. As long as you test your water and you have 0 amonia, 0 nitrites and <20 nitrates you have a good cycled tank. I would recommend putting your filters on and use some of the substrate and decorations from your other tank as well; as this also will bring over your live bacteria and help move the cycling process along quickly.

Plants shouldn't be and issue with the puffs or the snails. Only use small ramshorn snails as others will break your puffers teeth. If it looks like a ice cream cone then don't use them. When my puffers grab a snail they just grab the shell and then take it away from the glass, ground plant etc.... and then shake it around so your plants shouldn't be affected.

They like very heavily planted tanks but also they need swimming room as they are a very active fish. So if you can provide current with a powerhead or if you use a canister filter use the return line to create some strong flowing water. If you want an idea check out my community tank pics in my gallery.

I think that does it for now and of course WELCOME TO THE PUFFER FORUM!!!!

amazons are really fun to watch and have loads off persanality,there always on the move and never stop.
i have 4 SAPs and keep them with other fish just fine,not even any fin nipping.
i dont think they will ruin your plants looking for the snails but i do no they will love the treats.
i have fake plants and they dont look to bad as i have put loads of silk 1s in.
the water from another tank will not cycle your tank but would help a little,its all down to your filter when it comes to a cycled tank so get a water tester and keep checking it to see when you get the right readings and then you no it is done.
the teeth will grow fast but i find how ever many snails they eat they still need trimming,you do this by putting them in a tub with clove oil until they roll over then you clip there teeth and its not as bad as it sounds,there is a piece on here about what to do and how much of oil to use and just how to do it,its really helpful as its how i first learned how to do mine.

Thanks, I appreciate the quick responses. I will use my substrate and filter media from the 25 as suggested to help the cycle along. and I do have my test kits. Thanks! You guys are bery helpful.
The whole trimming the teeth thing does sound a little intimidating, but I will do my reading on it.

Apachepufferman- The snail to avoid, the ones that are cone shaped, I guess those are the little ones that bury themselves in the sand all day and appear at night? That's unfortunate. My 25 is overrun wuth them. To the point that (now that I think of it) I won't be able to use the substrate if the puffers shouldn't have them. I just pulle 207 of the little DARLINGS out of my filter with about 10 times as many in the tank. A lot hey? They really snuck up on me. I never realized I had so many since they hide. I bought 3 skunk botias to help with the problem, but since the snails are nocturnal and the botias aren't...well, you can imagine how effective it has been. oh well.

The Dwarf puffers, They were one species I had thought of, but in my reading I saw that despite their size they can nip and aggrevate other fish pretty well. Although I do like the idea of 5 dwarf and 5 amazon...that would certainly be plenty of fish in my tank. I had wanted more fish just because I am not good at having a tank with just one or two fish. I like more activity in ther (as long as the tank is big enough of course) but I hadn't realized that you could keep 2 seperate harems together...hmmm, i like that idea. Thanks again!

i wouldn't use clove oil for the trimming. Use finquil instead it is actually designed for fish anesthetic were clove oil can cause brain damage as well as if you get to much then you will euthenize it as well. I thought Pufferpunk was gonna add that to the article but i guess she didn't.

Well, I have my 55 gallon up and running. I used the water from the mature 25 gallon tank I had and all of its substrate, rock and it's filter. I am still going to leave it a while to run before adding the puffers. I have to wait for my lfs to get them in anyway.
Just wondering could the SAP, and/or dwarf puffers be housed with a pair of either yellow lab cichlids or kribs? I have had them before and enjoy them. Maybe a pair of yellow labs, a couple of SAPs' and 3 dwarves?
any other suggestions?
I still really like the idea of 5 SAPs and 5 dwarves. If my lfs can get them for me I am leaning that way. I think that would be an interesting tank. Are you sure it's not too much in a 55?

No chiclids with dwarf puffers, I'd say. They may try to swallow them and that can end in the death of both fish. The SAPs might do alright.

michelle wrote: I still really like the idea of 5 SAPs and 5 dwarves. If my lfs can get them for me I am leaning that way. I think that would be an interesting tank. Are you sure it's not too much in a 55?

If you have a filter that is sized for a 75g tank or larger you will be just fine with that many in the tank. Just keep up with weekly 25% water changes and you should see no problems with water quality.

I have an aquaclear 70-90 gallon filter and an aquaclear 30 -I go over on filtration, but I like to be sure and I like the extra flow. I really hope the lfs can get the fish I want...IF they can't, there is one store that ALWAYS has dwarf puffers here...the problem is they are sold as brackish and kept in brackish conditions. part of me wants to save them and acclimate them back to fresh, but then I know he will just get more, and I am not sure what health reprecusions the brackish would have had on them. Plus I hate to give my business to a store that knows so little about what they sell.

Removed

you're cichlids won't go with the puffers... perhaps maybe a type of south american dwarf cichlid would fit alright?

I don't think acclimating dwarfs from brackish to fresh should be a big problem... Since these fish live in rivers, the salinity can change very quickly if they travelled along the river.

There is a you tube video out there on how it's done, slightly scary, but should be okay.

Before I knew any better, I killed my 1st 3 DPs by thinking they belonged in BW. You might want to ask the LFS what they consider BW. Could just mean they added a tbsp of aquarium salt/5g or something like that.

mike_freegan wrote:My dwarf puffers terrorised my rams. I wouldn't even want to keep them with other puffers as once they get hold of a fin, they won't let go. My fig-8 is much tamer :S

I've never had a problem with any of my DPs terrorizing my fish. I have three dwarf ciclids in with them and they do fine with all fish in my tank. I just keep it heavily planted and they do fine.

michelle wrote:I have an aquaclear 70-90 gallon filter and an aquaclear 30 -I go over on filtration, but I like to be sure and I like the extra flow. I really hope the lfs can get the fish I want...IF they can't, there is one store that ALWAYS has dwarf puffers here...the problem is they are sold as brackish and kept in brackish conditions. part of me wants to save them and acclimate them back to fresh, but then I know he will just get more, and I am not sure what health reprecusions the brackish would have had on them. Plus I hate to give my business to a store that knows so little about what they sell.

honestly you will probably have to order the SAPs i have found them very difficult to get locally but it seems that online dealers can get them. If you do have to order the Dwarf puffers as well try not to spend more than $7 on them i have seen for sell above $10 and I know my lfs carries them for $5.

OMG! the store here that sells them as brackish...$24.00 each!!!
Does it make a difference that I am in Canada I wonder?