The Puffer Forum

We just were given the "gift" of two little puffers from a friend. He thought our daughter would enjoy them and she does seem to be quite fascinated by them. I've had aquariums before but never anything brackish or salt-water. Now for the problem- He got two little Tetraodon nigroviridis from Wal-Mart along with a tank and about everything they need..... Except a heater. The tank is only a 1.5 gallon acrylic tank which will have to be enlarged once the fish start growing but I don't have the money to run out and buy a tank and heater right now. (Seriously... I am down to just a few bucks in my wallet for the next couple of weeks.) I could probably spring for a small heater if it's not too expensive but do they make one that will be safe for a small, acrylic tank? I know the water is probably a good 5-10 degrees cooler than it should be. They seem to be doing alright for now but I don't want the little dudes going belly up on us.

Those guys aren't going to last very long in that tank. (Edit: And by very long, I mean maybe by the end of the week).
Try to return them to a local fish store (NOT walmart--they flush all their returns) and get them back when you are able to take care of them properly.

#1. The tank is not cycled.
#2. The tank should be 60 gallons.
#3. They produce a TON of waste, and the filter for that tank will not be able to handle it all. (Trust me, I own this tank).
#4. Puffers have no scales or gill covers, so the amount of ammonia produced by the cycling process will end up killing the puffers.

Christemo wrote:Those guys aren't going to last very long in that tank. (Edit: And by very long, I mean maybe by the end of the week).
Try to return them to a local fish store (NOT walmart--they flush all their returns) and get them back when you are able to take care of them properly.
#1. The tank is not cycled.
#2. The tank should be 60 gallons.
#3. They produce a TON of waste, and the filter for that tank will not be able to handle it all. (Trust me, I own this tank).
#4. Puffers have no scales or gill covers, so the amount of ammonia produced by the cycling process will end up killing the puffers.

60 gallons for two little puffers??
I thought they didn't get over 6 inches or so??

Unfortunately, there is no place but Wal=Mart that is open now tonight.
I will have to call around in the AM and see if anyone will take them in.

I truly detest getting fish from there but this was a spur of the moment thing for my buddy.
I really don't have a clue why he thought we needed Puffers.
I wouldn't mind keeping them but I do not have the space or finances for a 60 gallon tank.

They have a massive bioload, and can grow to the size of a small nerf football.