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overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:06 pm
by 125blackfire
I am either getting a 50, 55, or 75G tank for freshwater puffer fish. I have a question about how many puffer I can put into one tank. Will they become aggressive too each other? And can I put different puffer fish in one tank? I don’t know for sure what type of puffer fish too put in it depends what type my local store has. House of tropical’s in Glenburnie.

Re: overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:18 pm
by The Bruce
it depends on what type of puffers you want, the only species of freshwater puffers i'd mix together would be South American puffers and dwarf puffers, SAP's should have about 15 gallons per puffer and dwarf puffs need about 5 gallons per puffer

Re: overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:19 pm
by yunachin
Check out the Library for articles on puffers and the Pufferpedia for puffer types to help you decide.
Also before you add any fish, you have to cycle your tank. There is an article on Fishless cycling in the library as well.

Re: overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:52 pm
by 125blackfire
Ok ill check them out. I’ve read about puffers and there minimum size tanks. If the minimum size tank for puffer A is 15G and I have a 45G tank does that mean the max I can have of puffer A is 3?

Re: overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:07 pm
by Idontknow
Welcome to the forum!

If you get a green spotted puffer, you will eventually need 30 gallons per puffer.

Re: overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:11 pm
by The Bruce
it's not that simple blackfire, most freshwater puffers can not even be in the same tank with their own kind, let alone other fish, so unless you plan on having SAP's and dwarf puffers than don't plan on multiple puffers, or multiple fish period.

Re: overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:15 pm
by 125blackfire
The Bruce wrote:it's not that simple blackfire, most freshwater puffers can not even be in the same tank with their own kind, let alone other fish, so unless you plan on having SAP's and dwarf puffers than don't plan on multiple puffers, or multiple fish period.
so SAP's and dwarf puffers can be the only ones together?
i know i cant put other fish in with puffers.

Re: overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:30 pm
by Idontknow
What type of puffer were you planning on getting or what type of tank (fresh, brackish, marine)?

Re: overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:33 pm
by The Bruce
I as well as other people have had SAP's with dwarf puffers in the past with no problems whatsoever, most other freshwater puffers will kill each other, even attack their own reflection

Re: overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:51 pm
by 125blackfire
Idontknow wrote:What type of puffer were you planning on getting or what type of tank (fresh, brackish, marine)?
i was trying too figure out what type of puffer too study, but it would have too be fresh water.

after reading some articles in the library (still will read more) i have dicided too TRY to breed dwarf puffers.

Re: overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:24 pm
by Idontknow
Yeah, dwarf puffers are very cute. I often go to the pet store to look at them. They seem very friendly and follow me if I move around their tank. I thought they were schooling puffers, so I was very surprised to have read this article.

http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/bre ... ffers.html

However, most people I have talked to highly recommend dwarf puffers. Most pet shops I go to, also recommend them.

Re: overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:02 pm
by 125blackfire
well im just confused is putting dwarf puffers into a 50-75G tank a waste?

Re: overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:07 pm
by yunachin
If you have it heavily planted you can have a whole bunch of them. Also you can do South American Puffers in a group with a planted tank.
Puffers are not community fish like tetras and will tear each other apart unless the proper amount of decor is used to break up lines of site and separate territories.

Re: overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:14 pm
by 125blackfire
I was planning on heavy decorating.

What happens if one puffer wondering into another puffer?

Re: overloading a puffer tank

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:35 pm
by Idontknow
Here's an article that has more information about care of dwarf puffers

http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/bre ... ffers.html

It says to keep a ratio of 1 male to 2 females. For breeding keep 1 male and 1 female in a heavily planted tank.