The Puffer Forum

should i get a figure eight puffer or a gsp i've heard that a gsp is a very messy eater and require a huge tank ex 30 gal . So is the figure 8 puffer any different? and if u can tell me the equipments i need for a figure 8 puffer or a gsp ex heater,filter. And im a real noob and new to this forum 2 so it be awesome if u guys can give me a guide ex wat salinity the water has to be ,how to cycle the water, wat salt to use. Thx a lot ppl

Ok a Figure 8 is brackish water ( half way between salt water and freshwater). They require a min tank of at least 15 gallons. The GSP can start out in brackish water conditions but do better as they get old in full marine, they require a min tank of 30 gallon when mature. Both of these fish ( as with most puffers) are messy eater and weekly water changes are in order.
Hope this helps. I also left you a link to read up on the GSP along with tank cycling in your other thread.

There's also a difference in size. The Figure 8 puffer will max out around 3", whereas the Green Spotted puffer will max around 6+" -- so that's something to take into consideration as well. They are both lovely puffers though. Personally, I think I'd have to take GSP's over F8's, but that's my own personal opinion.

Figure eights stay smaller and that makes them cuter . If space is an issue one of these puffs would work fine. You could get a 30 gallon and put some other fish in there.

Someone already listed the max sizes for both F8s and GSPs, so I'll just reinforce the fact that GSPs need a minimum of 30g per fish (so 2 would need 60, etc) while F8s need a minimum of 15 gallons for the first and 10 for each after that (so 2 would need 25g, 2 need 35, etc.). I highly suggest going to PufferPedia (under the Learn tab at the top of the page) and reading about these 3 puffers to start with, and then go to the Puffer Library (also under the Learn tab) and read about feeding puffers, puffer care, etc. This will give you a good idea about what you're getting into, and it will cover the basics that most people ask about.

If you are completely new to fish, I would suggest thinking about going with freshwater instead of jumping into brackish or saltwater. They help you get the basics of water changes, the waste cycle (ammonia to nitrite to nitrate), etc. wherease with brackish or saltwater you take those basics and add in premixing marine salt and matching salinities, etc., and full marine goes beyond that into new equipment like protein skimmers and using live sand/rock, etc. So, it's good to start with freshwater so that you can learn how to properly take care of a tank and fish, and it's a little easier to maintain. IMHO, anyway.

A good option for freshwater puffers are dwarf puffers, and they don't need quite as much room.

In the hobby, 30g is actually a somewhat small tank, but to newbies, it can seem rather large. However, larger tanks are actually easier to maintain as it takes more to upset the balance, change the temp, etc., and they have more water to dilute any waste. They are generally more stable, so they are generally more successful.

I have a 30-long and its quite a nice size. Not so small that things spiral out of control quickly. But not so big that water changes are a bear. (I may move up one day, though!) I've got 2 F8s and a variety of guppies.

bazil323 wrote:I would suggest thinking about going with freshwater instead of jumping into brackish or saltwater. They help you get the basics of water changes, the waste cycle (ammonia to nitrite to nitrate), etc. wherease with brackish or saltwater you take those basics and add in premixing marine salt and matching salinities, etc., and full marine goes beyond that into new equipment like protein skimmers and using live sand/rock, etc. So, it's good to start with freshwater so that you can learn how to properly take care of a tank and fish, and it's a little easier to maintain. IMHO, anyway.

Plus you don't miss out on the fun of FW aquaria like i did. However i would take his advice.