Monotrete Abei or Monotrete Bailyi?

[MachMe]

Which of these two puffers would you get and why? I have a 40gallon tank that is ready to house a puffer. Help me decide!

Thanks

[Pufferpunk]

Considering neither is a puffer that is readily available, I'd pick whichever I could acquire. I do like the odd look of the baileyi though & the pink marble coloration.

[MachMe]

I agree the Baileyi looks other worldly. They are both readily available to me .
Ive read the pufferpedia but does anyone have experience with these puffers?

The hairy puffer is rarer though so carries a little bit higher price tag than the Abei.

[Pufferpunk]

Yes, I believe the care would be the same as the miurus & also the suvattii, which we have an article on in our Library.

[MachMe]

I keep looking at pictures of both and I'm having a very hard time making a decision. I like them both equally? What do you guys think? Are all Baileyis the same color? It seems like it?

[pufferpuggirl]

I have both a Baileyi and an Abei and it's hard to say which one I would pick over the other, although my Baileyi does have alot of character and I would not want to be without her (I call it a "her" but I have no proof that it's a she, I just prefer to think of her that way). Mine isn't very hairy though, but still lots of personality. She absolutely loves earthworms, never seen her so keen on any food like earthworms! Now she won't eat anything else!
I love both of my Abei's too, and they do swim a bit more than my Baileyi. The Baileyi isn't very active at all, just laying about until it's earthworm time, then she's up and about. But there's a member on here that's got one that's much more active than mine, so who knows.

Actually, I think you will be pleased no matter which one you get, although I will agree that the Baileyi does have an interesting colour, especially as it goes over their eyes (sort of like a suvattii in that respect).

[sPuffalopagus]

I agree with pufferpuggirl about the nature of the Abei.
They tend to swim more and are more active on the hunt. Tends to interact more with me too compared to Hammie (my hairy puffer).
Hammie is a superb lurker... and it just fantastic watching him sneak up on his prey. Otherwise, it would just slot itself into its favorite nook in the elbow of the drift wood in his tank. Generally Hairy Puffers do not interact as much but there is always an oddball amongst the oddballs...

Decide what to buy based on what kinda fish you are looking for.

[MachMe]

There are a few Abei puffers in the puffer pedia that are like a purplish color. Are those rarer or do they just have those colors in their youth? Most of the others are brown with spots/orange spots.

I'm buying based in the fact that I want a puffer that will grow at least 4 inches. Both of these will meet that criteria. The Baileyi is $85 and the Abei is $55. Good prices?

[Pufferpunk]

It seems that the Abei is a very good camouflage fish. I think they change colors/hues/spots more than any other puffer (miurus come in 2nd).

As far as personalities, if you are trying to chose between an active hunter & a sedentary lurker,you have to decide if you want a fish that swims around & greets you at the glass or hides until it's hungry.

[MachMe]

I have a 40 gallon tank with 11 jungle val, 2 tiger lotus, 1 banana plant, and 3 Java fern. Nice chunk of drift wood a one rock cave.

Is this suitable for the Bailyei? It doesnt seem like he/she would have many areas to bury him/herself. If they even do that? In the puffer pedia it says rock cave or just lying on the substrate.

[Pufferpunk]

I think as long as he has a cave, he'd be happy.

[pufferpuggirl]

I have a 40 gallon tank with 11 jungle val, 2 tiger lotus, 1 banana plant, and 3 Java fern. Nice chunk of drift wood a one rock cave.

Is this suitable for the Bailyei? It doesnt seem like he/she would have many areas to bury him/herself. If they even do that? In the puffer pedia it says rock cave or just lying on the substrate.

My Baileyi likes to hang out in a terracotta pot that I have laid on it's side. Funny because she will come out when she's hungry, and as soon as she's had enough to eat, she will go back in the pot, face first with her tail sticking out. That's how she tells me she's had enough!

I have never seen my Baileyi bury herself, or even try.

[MachMe]

Ok. Seems like my set up would be perfect then.

As far as price goes. Is $85 fair for a Hairy puffer. Its really $50.00 but shipping is $35.

[pufferpuggirl]

Obviously with me being in the UK, I can only tell you what I paid for mine (£30), but that was from a private seller too, and we all know you will pay more going through a store.

[bauk]

It seems that the Abei is a very good camouflage fish. I think they change colors/hues/spots more than any other puffer (miurus come in 2nd).

Agree! I haven't seen zo much difrent colors as with my Abei! I think it''s a nice and little agressive fish. But if you looking for more peace in your tank, than i would say bailyi