The Puffer Forum

OK so I have decided to start a brackish tank. after doing some research I feel in love with the GSPs but they are a tad to big for my liking so I am going to opt out instead for 2 F8's, I'm also going to be getting a dragon goby along with them and possibly some BBG's. My question is does it matter if the tank is a hexagon tank that has I higher high than width or do puffers prefer to have a lower and wider tank like a "regular" rectangle tank?

For the fish you plan to get I would go with the rect., If you go with angelfish then a hex would be good for them. That's about the only thing I can think of that would be good for a hex.

I think some of the fancier goldfish work well with a large hex.

What size tank are we talking about?

In the vast majority of cases, a large footprint (lower and wider) is preferred.

This is the rule I go by myself. Given equal gallons, larger footprint is better. Given a specific footprint you must stick to, more gallons is better.
IE - Lets say that you want to keep one F8 puffer - a 20 long is a better tank than a 20 high, if you are totally free to choose tanks for your puffer. However, if you have only 24 inches of space, given the choice between a 15 and a 20 high for your F8 puffer, the 20 high is better because it dilutes wastes more. Generally I end up figuring out the largest footprint I can spare, and buying the most gallons I can squeeze into that footprint.

That's actually a good rule, I will remember that. Also, I would think the dragon goby would prefer a larger footprint cause don't they like to hang out at the bottom of the tank and rummage around in all the substrate.

I was actually thinking about getting a 30 gallon tank maybe a little larger but nothing smaller. and I cant really afford anything much bigger either. that what I was thinking, the lower and wider the better. I cant really afford a brand new tank so I have been searching around craigslist for a decently priced and sized one. and i have found couple 29-36 rectangle gallon tanks and one 35 hex tank that is priced amazingly. I'm just waiting on some emails to see if any are still available and talk about price and things like that. Do you think a 30-36 gallon tank could hold 2 f8's a dragon goby and a couple bbgs? Ive actually read some places that ghost shrimp can be kept with them if you have enough hiding spots( I know that the puffers would eat them if they where ever seen).

Well 30 gals is enough for the two F8s. 2 BBGs not sure, you might want to wait for someone else to answer that. But the dragon goby is a no no. They can get to lengths of 12-18 inches or more sometimes so really you would need like a 60 gal for one of those. But 2 F8s would definitely be fine in there.

riggers wrote:Well 30 gals is enough for the two F8s. 2 BBGs not sure, you might want to wait for someone else to answer that. But the dragon goby is a no no. They can get to lengths of 12-18 inches or more sometimes so really you would need like a 60 gal for one of those. But 2 F8s would definitely be fine in there.

as for the Dragon goby I do have a 55 Gallon tank I could move it to once it start to become a problem of size. The 55 gallon if currently a freshwater tank full of guppies( which could I use to feed the puffers once they become a larger size maybe?)

how will you put the goby in there if it is freshwater? Or is that why you were thinking of giving the guppies to the puffers? I don't know if F8s would eat them or not to be honest but if they did remember they are not good for the puffer really and they are quite fatty, so you would have to make sure they didn't get hooked on them etc. How many do you have? You might be able to move them into the 30 gal and then have the 55 gal for F8s dragon goby and BBGs.

Guppies are not recommended for puffer food. Puffers are simply too slow to catch much in the way of life fish in the wild, and they don't digest it very well, I'd restrict it to one guppy per puffer per week if you feed any at all. Your puffers will also almost certainly eat the BBGs if they're fed guppies.

Ahh ok. so no guppies then. The 55 Gallon tank isn't mine, its my parents. I'm actually getting the 30 gallon tank for my dorm room. the college isn't all that far from home. I would love to have a 55 gallon but I just simple don't have room for it haha,

Oh I see that's a shame. Maybe the dragon goby is not really a good option right now then.

Now I just need to find a fish store to buy or order the f8s and bbg's

Now you just need to find a fish store to buy or order the f8's and bbg's