New Amazon Puffers

[sweetshannon]

Hi everyone!
I am VERY new to puffers. Up until yesterday I was an avowed ranchu keepers. A new ranchu brought in disease that didn't show up until after QT. Wiped them all out...Very sad.
Anyway....I have a 100 gallon tank and put in 5 amazon puffers. My filters seemed to still have enough bacteria for them, as my readings are still 0,0.....so far, so good.
I think I need more plants, as of now I have 15 or so anubias and java fern plants with some wood. The puffers seem to be going up and down the glass alot. Is this boredom? Nervous? Or do I not have enough of them? Is 5 too small a number for such a large tank?
I also threw in about 8 ghost shrimp and lots of tiny snails, for snacks. They are eating bloodworms just fine.
Any other tips or advice for me?

[Brent]

I suggest adding a bit of Tetra Safestart just in case the tank isn't fully cycled. This won't hurt your puffers and will instantly cycle your tank if it isn't already.

As for pacing the glass, yes this is boredom. You could add more decorations [Not hollow!] and plants to explore, as well as some bubbles for them to play in.

No, 5 in a 100 gallon is not too small a number. There is no such thing as too small a number when you talk about puffers. A general rule being: The more space the better.

[Brent]

Also, a sand substrate is usually the best for puffers as they like to bury themselves in it. Make sure it's deep enough that they won't bang off of the glass bottom, and stir it occasionally to prevent anaerobic pockets from forming.

[sweetshannon]

Thanks for the info. I will use the Safestart...thanks! Along with twice daily testing, I should be OK. I added more plants today, as will add more as my funds allow.

[Brent]

No problem =P

You seem like a great Puffer owner. You put in the effort needed for researching and you support the tank very well. I wish you and your new puffers all the best!

[thekarens]

I don't believe Amazon puffers bury themselves like other puffers. Mine don't at any rate. In fact I don't think mine hardly ever slow down. They are constantly busy looking for their next meal.

PS........I used to keep goldfish. I love the ranchus. They are one of my favorite fish.

[sweetshannon]

Thanks again! I do have sand in there, but they are too busy darting around to notice. I gave them about 20 snails yesterday, but think they are all gone. How often should they be getting them? I am considering a snail tank...can they eat too many of them?
And yes, ranchu are great fish. I had a few stunners that I am so sorry I lost. Maybe someday I will try again.

[Pufferpunk]

Be sure to check out the great article on them in outr library. they ar constantly moving--more than any other puffer species but with enough decor, they should stop every once in a while to look around at their environment.

Was this the same tank the GF were all wiped out in? So sorry for all that loss...

[LilGreenPuffer]

With that much swim room and a nice-sized school, they're probably in paradise!

[sweetshannon]

Be sure to check out the great article on them in outr library. they ar constantly moving--more than any other puffer species but with enough decor, they should stop every once in a while to look around at their environment.

Was this the same tank the GF were all wiped out in? So sorry for all that loss...

It is same tank, cleaned with peroxide and lots of water. I am hoping that whatever got the goldies wont be dangerous to the puffers....Now I am thinking I should have wiped out all my filter bacteria with peroxide, too. I hope I didn't screw up. So far they are piggies and very active. Fingers crossed.

[Pufferpunk]

Yeah, I would have started the cycle over with clean filters. I hope it doesn't happen!

[sweetshannon]

So far, so good. Almost a week and puffers are doing great. Bought my snail tank, I can't believe how fast they go through snails....

[pufferpuggirl]

Just to add a note on something that was said earlier .... my South American puffers or Amazons, have never buried themselves, so a sandy substrate is not necessary. I doubt they will ever do such a thing, I can't imagine them even calming down enough to sit still. Mine are constantly moving about, although they aren't quite so frenzied now that they are in my big community tank.