The Puffer Forum

First off, I give you all permission to shoot me... I'll even give you a table to bang your head against...

Condo rules are being stupid and I may not be able to keep anything larger than a "bowl". So I figure this means a 10gal is safe and if it isn't I can easily rehouse it. I have read the requirements for all the FW puffers and they all say 20gal or more, except for DPs. I'd like to have a single puffer in a heavily planted 10gal tank (not DPs). Many of the FW puffers max out at 2-3". I understand it's about bioload and not fish size but I think they could fit into the tank comfortably (size wise). What would have to be done to maintain this tank and keep the puffer happy and comfortable (i.e. is it possible with water changes twice a week, a large amount once a week, very regular vacuuming between large water changes, etc)? What species could this be done with if any?

I know, I know, I can't help but ask. I REALLY want a puffer again and if the big tank won't work I want a way to do it in a small tank... It wouldn't be forever but it wouldn't be for a few months either...

You may be able to have one South American or one F8 (brackishwater) with super heavy filtration, Water Changes twice a week, and regular vacuuming. I'm not big on getting a fish that I can't house correctly but if you would be willing to put alot of extra work into them you may be able to make them pretty comfortable. Why don't you want any DP's? You could have two of those in that size of a tank!

I should have also noted that SAP's like the company of thier own...but they need 15 gal each..

Exactly, and I won't be doing this if it's just not going to be good for the fish. It's for selfish interest that I'm asking BUT I would never make an animal suffer because of that.

I liked my DPs and they were fun but they were just so small... I like bigger fish... When I had my DP setup I had 3 of them and 3 kuhli loaches and that tank was good and stable without a single illness for 3 years. It ended due to a heater malfunction, they were cooked Caught it and brought the temperature down but within 24hrs they were all gone.

You could also keep a single of the lorteti/irrubesco species.

Ok. I've been eyeing those guys up at the LFS. It's sad as there's tons of them crammed in there and there's always several with all their fins bitten off and some have bite marks in their sides as well Perhaps if they have them again in a few months I can pick one up. More to learn though, much more (including if I should even do it)...

I just couldn't take a fish from a bad situation into another bad situation... That's not ok.

It's really refreshing to hear someone that cares enough about the fish to put their best interests first instead of yours. I think you deserve a puffer just because you sound like such a caring person. Good luck in your puffer quest!

Well thank you.

The question is can it be done comfortably in a 10gal. I would be so happy if I could but like I said, I won't do it if it's no good for the fish. I'll get a betta instead or something Or DPs Though what I really want is a single puffer in the tank.

Get an irrubesco, especially a male, they are beautiful fish, and they can get a nice size (but not too big for the 10-gallon). Once you get him home, his fins will grow back, and he will be fine. I think that would be a nice puffer for you to have. So give that some thought. Just make sure to put a few plants in there, as they like to hide amongst them, and when I put a flashlight on my tank at night, I can see them actually laying in the plants sleeping.

I want one NOW but I have to wait And figure out my final decision.

So if I go ahead with this what kind of filtration should I be looking for? How many gallons per hour? 90 ok?

You generally aim for 10x turnover, so 90x is close enough.

I did some work at an art gallery / studio complex for a portion of my life, and technically, we were not permitted to actually live there. Many people did, however. It's all a matter of how you arrange your setup. I'd go with at least a 20 gallon tall, stick in some type of dresser/cupboard that can support it (possibly with a stand inside of it), have some decent lighting throughout the day and just make sure your landlord never sees it.

The big question is how often does anybody associated with the complex enter your apartment? In the past I've gotten away with a waterbed in an apartment where they weren't allowed, a black lab in an apartment with a 20lb limit, and even a shotgun in an apartment with a no gun policy... I'm not saying you should break the rules, but some rules are a bit silly...

-Rob

They are allowed to visit twice a year and must give at least 24 hours. I can move or hide a 10 gal in that time if need be. I have a place about 10 mins away where I can keep the tank for a day if need be. I don't know if they actually do the inspections but those are the rules about them.