Hello,
I am new to this forum, but not new to aquarium fish...20+ years in FW, SW and Breeding Discus, Angels and Rams... ect.
I have always had an interest in puffers, but never the space. Now my two sons (8 & 10) have tanks and love puffers...so, we are doing research. I have a partially planted 120 gal with a few temporary angles, so I have some room also.
A local fish store has the following:
Tetraodon Lineatus - Interesting
Tetraodon Mbu - Not enough space in my tank
Tetraodon Palembangensis? What does anybody know about this puffer? I have found limited info, but none on this site.
We are looking for Freshwater, active puffers. We are leaning towards the Colomesus asellus for one boy (20 gallon long with lots of filtering and driftwood decor) But the other son (20 gallon) and myself (120 gallon) are still looking.
Ideas appreciated!!
Thanks, Steve
PS Does it sound like we have been bitten by the puffer bug? Yes, but we are trying to enter with our eyes open!
New to Puffers...researching
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mrgreen
- Fahaka Puffer
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- Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:17 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: 1 dwarf puffer: Squirt
2 figure 8s: Escalator & Elevator - Location (country): United States
- Location: Michigan, USA
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Re: New to Puffers...researching
Welcome!
You've found a great place for puffer owners.
There are members who have a Palembang.
Some puffers are brackish. I can tell you that it is not hard at all to maintain a brackish tank. With a 120 gallon, you COULD get a marine puffer- depending on which type, of course. If you aren't sure you want/can afford to do that, there are plenty of other options with a tank that size.
Welcome again and congrats on being bitten by the puffer bug! You're in for a great time.
You've found a great place for puffer owners.
There are members who have a Palembang.
Some puffers are brackish. I can tell you that it is not hard at all to maintain a brackish tank. With a 120 gallon, you COULD get a marine puffer- depending on which type, of course. If you aren't sure you want/can afford to do that, there are plenty of other options with a tank that size.
Welcome again and congrats on being bitten by the puffer bug! You're in for a great time.
"Puffs puff cuz they're puffs cuz they puff cuz they're puffs. - Nathan age 12
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pufferpuggirl
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 3979
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:04 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Puffs & Stuff:
1 x M Abei
1 x M Turgidus
1 x T Palembangensis
1 x M Baileyii
1 x T Schoutedeni
1 x T Leiurus
1 x T Miurus
Rainbow crab
crayfish - Location (country): Yorkshire, GB
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Re: New to Puffers...researching
Hi there 1bigfish, yes, I think we were all bitten by the puffer bug! I know I have been.
I just wanted to make a couple comments. You said your one son is thinking about Colomesus asellus, which is a very good choice, only they need to be in groups of at least 3 preferably more to be really happy. The South American puffer, as it's commonly known, can be a nervous fish, so it's best to have it in groups so it feels more secure.
As for your tank and your puffer choices, well I would steer clear of a lineatus, they can get quite big and usually don't like any tankmates. They can and do kill other fish just because they don't like them. So I think that would be a bad beginner puffer.
I actually own a Palembangensis puffer, otherwise known as a Humpback puffer. They are very inactive, not really doing much at all on a daily basis. I have one in a tank with my 2 suvattii and none of them do very much. The Palembang might swim from one end of the tank to the other, but that's only when I'm working on the tank and he doesn't like me getting so close to him. Otherwise they all seem to just hang out in their preferred spots and wait for food. That's it basically. So I don't think you'd be satisfied with any of the lurkers.
If you're not opposed to brackish water, then Green Spotted puffers are active, interesting and fun to watch. I love mine and wouldn't want to be without them.
I think you also need to decide if you want a small puffer 2-4" or a bigger puffer 6+", and then do some looking around in your area to see if any other shops sell any different puffers. Don't just go for what's available locally because you may get a puffer that's not suited to what you are really wanting in a fish. Ask around shops that deal with oddball fish, that's how I've found some of my puffers.
Have you taken a look at the PufferPedia? That may give you a better idea of what you're looking for because you can see a picture and get some general stats. Make a list and then see what you can find in your area.
I just thought I'd offer some help. I hope you enjoy being a puffer addict, I love it, it's the best hobby I've ever had. I used to be keen on gardening, but this is much more satisfying way by far.
Good luck and nice to have you in the forum!
I just wanted to make a couple comments. You said your one son is thinking about Colomesus asellus, which is a very good choice, only they need to be in groups of at least 3 preferably more to be really happy. The South American puffer, as it's commonly known, can be a nervous fish, so it's best to have it in groups so it feels more secure.
As for your tank and your puffer choices, well I would steer clear of a lineatus, they can get quite big and usually don't like any tankmates. They can and do kill other fish just because they don't like them. So I think that would be a bad beginner puffer.
I actually own a Palembangensis puffer, otherwise known as a Humpback puffer. They are very inactive, not really doing much at all on a daily basis. I have one in a tank with my 2 suvattii and none of them do very much. The Palembang might swim from one end of the tank to the other, but that's only when I'm working on the tank and he doesn't like me getting so close to him. Otherwise they all seem to just hang out in their preferred spots and wait for food. That's it basically. So I don't think you'd be satisfied with any of the lurkers.
If you're not opposed to brackish water, then Green Spotted puffers are active, interesting and fun to watch. I love mine and wouldn't want to be without them.
I think you also need to decide if you want a small puffer 2-4" or a bigger puffer 6+", and then do some looking around in your area to see if any other shops sell any different puffers. Don't just go for what's available locally because you may get a puffer that's not suited to what you are really wanting in a fish. Ask around shops that deal with oddball fish, that's how I've found some of my puffers.
Have you taken a look at the PufferPedia? That may give you a better idea of what you're looking for because you can see a picture and get some general stats. Make a list and then see what you can find in your area.
I just thought I'd offer some help. I hope you enjoy being a puffer addict, I love it, it's the best hobby I've ever had. I used to be keen on gardening, but this is much more satisfying way by far.
Good luck and nice to have you in the forum!
"Puffer .... man's best friend?"