The Puffer Forum

I recently purchased three South American Puffers. When I got home I put them in my 55g with 6 barbs, 3 Fantail guppies, and 1 south American red-tail catfish(very peaceful). I turned off the lights when i put them in and they seemed very docile. when i turned on the lights though, the little one went into "death-mode" He began attacking everything, esp. the red-tail. when i turn off the lights though, he instantly behaves.

What could be causing my little SA to do this? They are usually peaceful, aren't they?

This is why puffers should only be kepy in species set-ups. SAP's are peacful in terms of puffers, but doesn't mean they're compatible with other fish. You're going to need to rehouse your puffers or they will kill everything in your tank.

THanks

well I'm actually sorry for giving you that bad news ! If that 55 was converted to just the saps, they'd be much happer and long lived..and so would the others

since the other 2 are nice, could i just move the 1 out and keep the nice ones? or would they just get mean too?

Um, do you realize that catfish will grow to 3' long?

yeah. my friend owns a pet store and is going to help me get a bigger tank once he grows too big for the 55

you should move him a while before he's obviously too big, to avoid stunting...any luck on a new tank for the SAP's?

Lol. My SA always eyes my otos with suspicion. He has not successfully RIP anyone of them, but he takes an instant fascination to their tails and fins.... Thank goodness they're fast swimmers. Or else... RIP.

I have a 29g that i moved the SA's to.

for now

P)0 Good move! Hopefully the new tank was fully cycled before the relocation?

of course