The Puffer Forum

Hi all, my 6x2x2 marine tank is just finishing cycling after 8 weeks and I will soon be ready to start buying my target fish.

I have 80kg of live rock, a sump 50"x18"x18", I have a DSB with a few kilos of live rock cheato & calerupa filter socks and filter floss and a new Deltec 2060tc skimmer.

I built the stand and frame myself and had the tank custom made all with the intention of housing three well researched fish.

I am a member of a local reef club and have several friends that have successfully kept and keep the fish I intend to home so before anyone's decides to tell me they are not suitable ect- I just want information on the question I am asking please !

Q) I will be putting a Volitans Lionfish in first then after a few weeks and all being well the bacteria having built up to deal with the bioload and all parameters settling down I intend to place a Saragassum trigger then again after some time I will be pllacing my 3rd and final fish a dog face puffer, ive never bought a puffer before although having looked at many for sale apart from the obvious sulking in the corner or looking masticated what would you recommend I look for when selecting the puffer ?

also what extra considerations would you recomended for transporting the puffer from the fish shop and getting it home in what will be an hours drive ?

appreciate your help.

Rgds Lee.

Cool choices on fishies.. the only thing I can suggest for transporting a puffer for an hour long drive would be maybe a rubbermaid container, with a bubbler of some sort..that way you don't need to worry too much about oxygen! Other than that I have no idea! Someone on here will have a better suggestion I'm sure

Good luck!
I wanna see pics when it's all set up!!

A big (new!) Styrofoam cooler.

Make sure that the puffer is never exposed to air. It might panic and try to puff, and it would fill up with air and might not be able to expel it.

I don't trust styro to handle large amounts of water. Better to use a bucket. The puffer will have to be scooped out with a container & then let out into the bucket. Don't let them use a net or expose his mouth to air! He could possibly suck in air, trying to puff out of stress & then it will be difficult to expel. Let him out the same way. Keep the lights off for the rest of the day.

As far as what to look for in a healthy puffer:
-Your best hope is one who is personable & greets you at the glass--even begs
-Rounded, not concave, belly
-No overgrown teeth
-Healthy skin
-Good appetite--find out what he has been eating at the shop & have them feed him

Be sure to build him some caves out of your rockwork for him to hang out in.