The Puffer Forum

I was wondering how long a red congo could live in a 20 gal tank without becoming stunted? Pufferlist says 29 gal minimum for an adult, which makes me think I may have some time...any thoughts?

Your timing would be to 1/2 adult size (~3"), but upgrading sooner is much better. We really don't know enough about stunting in puffers to comfortable with setting good guidelines. Personally I prefer to start the fish (commonly after QT, but sometimes including QT) in their permanent home.

I did start my Palembang's puffer in a 20-long QT, but immediately added a 15-gallon veggie filters connected to it with constant water exchange between the two. That fish had to be separately QT'd, as the permanent home was to be a 40 in my circulating range/central system, and nothing goes in there without extended QT. The extra water volume if nothing else made care easier.

BTW, a 30-long would be better for the fish than a 29. It is longer while less deep. These are substrate-associated fish, not water column swimmers such as SAPs, F-8s, and GSPs

I have always given my puffers thier first and only home, I don't like the idea of moving them much. I havn't purchased the congo yet, it's just that I have a good 20 gal long sitting at home i thought I could use for him for a while. In the 20 would the issue be stunting, water quality or both? Just curious.

20 long has the same footprint as a 29g. Large enough for an adult muirus, in my book.

For me it would do to to start, but I would never keep a 5-6" puffer, even a relatively inactive one, in 17 gallons or less of water for a life cycle. The nominal size of a 20-long and its reality are as bad as the nominal 55s, both grossly overestimated. But that is personal opinion and personal choice.

RTR wrote:For me it would do to to start, but I would never keep a 5-6" puffer, even a relatively inactive one, in 17 gallons or less of water for a life cycle. The nominal size of a 20-long and its reality are as bad as the nominal 55s, both grossly overestimated. But that is personal opinion and personal choice.

Agreed.

I have the rule with puffers - if I can't house it properly now then I probably never will - leave it at the LFS!. Harsh but its like waiting for the winning lottery ticket.It might happen but more likely it won't.
I have the opportunity to purchase a T.pustalatus.I have plenty of spare tanks for a 1" specimen but I don't think I'll ever have room to house a full grown one.I'll have to pass on it this time.

Pufferpunk wrote:20 long has the same footprint as a 29g. Large enough for an adult miurus, in my book.

My T.miurus are in 20g longs. One is ~3" and the other is ~1.25". The tanks have an AC300 HOB and AC150 HOB, respectively, and I do large water changes every week. The 3" Congo packs quite the bio-load so I can't slack off the water changes. Mine will most definitely need a larger tank or a larger filter before they are full grown. (Note: my little one hasn't grown much since his near-death encounter with the Python hose. I'm wondering if it is a result of his injuries or if T.miurus are slow growers).

Rocker wrote: I have the rule with puffers - if I can't house it properly now then I probably never will - leave it at the LFS!.

I hope you're not misunderstanding my intentions...it's not that i can't get bigger tank, I'm just wonder what your guys opinion are if I should get a bigger tank. If the general consensus is go bigger, than i shall do!

IMO go bigger. Mine is in a 40UKG and needs all that space. The three I have had have been very active.

I got my red congo today!! and I bought a 40 gallon standard tank for him. I used substrate and filter from a running tank. So excited!!

Any sand in there? They need to burrow.

yes, I have 5 inches of smallish grained red gravel..this is ok, right? Gosh he's so cute, only 2.5 inches not including tail.

Not sure if it's "light" enough to burrow in or not.

hmm... I'll keep in eye on and see what happens...he seems partially 'sunk' in right now..I'll give him a few days.

just thought I'd let you know...I just went to check on my new guy, and he's buried up to his eyeballs!! what a neat fish...

I'm sure this is a silly question, but, pufferpunk your T. Miurus is the redest (a word?) one I've ever seen..is there anything special you've done to get punkster so vibrant?