The Puffer Forum

Hey Guys,

Do red eye puffers get along with their own kind? I am setting up a tank, and was wondering if I should get a pair,or a single fish.

I think that you could do either one or two.

ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/C_Irrubesco/

Can you be more spesific which puffer you're talking about (scientific name). It usually is c. irrubesco that's called redeyed, but I've seen several other species as well.

The temperament of the irrubesco differs much from specimen to specimen. Some will do fine in pairs, and some won't. I've had a pair that went nicely together. What you need if you try is a heavily planted tank. But be prepared to split them up if it doesn't work out. You really won't know the answer until you've tried.

Yea Irrubesco,or Red Eye,Red Tail puffer,

I have a tank all set up,now that it's cycled I'll do a final water change and get a pair!

Thanks guys!

Great! Just make sure that there's space for a pair. And post pictures when you get them!

LilGreenPuffer wrote:Great! Just make sure that there's space for a pair. And post pictures when you get them!

Will do!

I've had two c. lorteti (male and female) for almost a year now...mine don't get along, really. But the tank is *very* heavily planted, so they manage to avoid each other pretty superbly. I've observed plenty of dominance/submissive behavior between the two, but never prolonged, and I've never seen any evidence of nipping. They seem not to care about each other unless they're actually face to face, interestingly enough.

I have 3 different species of Redeye puffers and I would say that C irrubesco is fairly good in getting along with other fish.

I have 3 Harlequin Rasboras, 2 gobies and an Upside-Down catfish that lives with them and I've never seen any problems at all, either with the other fish or between the other Redeyes. The worst I've seen mine do is to chase another one off from their territory, but never any biting, just a slight chase and then they do back to their "area".

I am very fond of my Redeye puffers, they are definitely my favourites!

I tried Audrey my female 1 inch Irrubesco in with some Corydoras, she was fine for a few days then took large chunks out of their dorsal fins she was immediatley moved to a tank on her own!

certraline wrote:I've had two c. lorteti (male and female) for almost a year now...mine don't get along, really.

Lortetis are generally more aggressive than irrubescos. The solution is, as you say, to have a very heavily planted tank. You still need to be prepared to split the pair if they turn on each other. Mine do get along...mostly. But the male is getting more abusive against the female, so I really need to keep a close eye on them now, being prepared for splitting the pair.

I have 3 Harlequin Rasboras, 2 gobies and an Upside-Down catfish

That catfish will eventually grow large enough to eat your other fish.

I didn't realise that those Upside-Down Catfish got that big -- I will move him to another tank.