The Puffer Forum

Okay. Some people are going to want to crucify me at this point...

I've said before, I work at a LFS; the manager has no idea about puffers, about a month after I got hired, she ordered in 2 wild caught T. Ocellatus. They had been doing fairly well for a pair stuffed into a 20g tank.

Several months back, I won my months-long argument with the manager and finally got TWO fully grown T. Ocellatus transferred from a 20g to a 40g breeder tank with the company of a large Archer fish.

I also managed to raise the salinity from around 4ppt to 12ppt over the course of several weeks. This is an accomplishment to me, because I'd managed to keep two of them alive in what I could only call near-worst-case circumstances. I was not allowed to use marine salt, i was not allowed to take certain items from stock to make my job easier... About the only thing I did have on my side was a hefty bit of research on what they eat in the wild, so I was able to give them a diet rich in algae, bugs, frozen fish and marine inverts.

Then one beat the hell out of the other. The smaller of the two ended up dying.

Now, about a month and a half after that, the manager gives me two options. "Take him home/find a home for him" or "Write up the return to the supplier".

The surviving puff, now named Chubby, is going back to the supplier over my dead body. I've managed to keep him alive for 10 months.

I only have room for a 40g breeder tank though. (Measuring 36"x18"x16") This *should* provide more swimming room (floorspace) than a 55g which is taller than it is wide. (full half foot worth of extra floor space over a 55g)

Water changes/nitrate handling should not be a huge issue, but any tips you can give to help me care for Chubby will be greatly appreciated.

Poor thing! Can you hook up a sump? That gives you more water volume, and you can put it under the tank.

I can down the line: The other benefit to picking up a 40 breeder is it is the size i eventually want to use as a reef; after Chubby of course.

We have the author of the latest article in FAMA on this species on as a Mod here: Yunachin. I'll PM her. We really need to get her article in our Library, now that it's in print.

WalkingTarget, I also work at a pet store/LFS, so I know what you're going through - it can be rough at first. I'm one of the fortunate ones, though, because over time the owners have come to trust me (I manage the store now) and I have almost complete leeway in choosing how to care for any puffer we get in. In fact, when we get GSPs in now, they go into saltwater - and believe it or not, they sell faster (and at a higher price) than they did when I first started and they were being kept in freshwater! If they need IP treatment, they get it, and I won't sell anyone a sick or dark colored puffer. All our puffers also get proper food: for example, if you were to come into our store now, you'd see a Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby in a tank with live rock with sponges and other goodies on it, a clip with red or green seaweed strips, and a tangle of macroalgae with lots of feather duster worms in it - this, in addition to other food items like bloodworms, fortified mysis and brine shrimp, and a ghost shrimp every other day or so.

When people inquire about a puffer, or tell me they want to buy this or that puffer, they get asked lots of questions and if I don't like what I hear, I won't sell it to them, plain and simple. I'm sure I've saved a few puffer lives by taking this approach, and that makes me feel really good.

Hello. Indeed this species has been exploding into America and not many people know how to properly take care of it. Your 40 breeder will be fine for now. Look into a sump and at least a 55+ in the future for him. You want his salinity at 1.022 and his temperature in the sub-tropical range of about 68 degrees F. I suggest just acclimating him from his current salinity to 1.022 all in one day. Do it slowly as not to stress him too much. Fine sand substrate and a good top so he won't get erratic and jump out. The problem with these particular fish is the that when they are moved their stress levels shoot through the roof and they might stop eating which can lead to their untimely death, so making the move as easy as possible by having everything set up and ready to go when you get home. You will need your tank fully cycled, no cutting corners because they are more sensitive than your run of the mill puffer fish. Depending on your climate you may have to look into a chiller which can get quite costly.

I will get the article up today and post the link. Print it out and take it to your store owner, or better yet have him pick up the copy of Freshwater and Marine Aquarium for this month.

Thanks for the info.
I had assumed it would be sub-tropical and around marine salinity, it's pittiful that he's only sitting at 1.010 right now.

As for tank temperature, that's easy enough. I have a location I can put him in where it is constantly 68-70 (room temperature) every day.

The tank size might be a problem, i'll have a difficult time upgrading him to anything over a 40 breeder due to size constraints, for at least a year. Considering my reef was supposed to be going into a 40 breeder later this winter though, It might at least help me hold on to him in good health until I can find a decent home for him.

Article is up in our Library now, thanks Chin!

Just keep an eye on the water parameters. You should be okay until you are ready to upgrade.

PP- Sorry it took so long. I had to dig up the draft.

Chubby is comming home on Sunday.

I'm going to need another bag of reef sand.... and to finish putting the stand together tonite..

My boss sucks.

Pictures...

Oh, pictures will come.

I'll try to take a couple at work today if I get the chance. Otherwise, they'll be on Sunday night when he comes home.

One question though.... Is #1 Aragonite sand too coarse for a puffer? Should i go with super-fine reef sand?

I would go with super fine just because they like to burrow.

Well, he's settling in...

He's still stressed and not eating yet (although he has taken a couple nice, well formed poops). Not really concerned yet, as he still has a nice rounded body shape and he was fed very well yesterday before being moved in anticipation of this very possibility.

I definitely need to get him some more sand, Won't be able to do so until Friday though.

He hasn't been showing clamped fins, which makes me pretty optimistic.

How thick is the sand bed.