The Puffer Forum

I am looking into setting up a saltwater tank, more can be read at viewtopic.php?f=6&t=22473

But my wife is absolutely in love with the O. Filosus or seahorse if there is 0% chance of compatability. I am trying to find anyone that has any luck trying a puffer of any species with any species of octopus or seahorses. Please post your tanks, which species and any further information you can give me please

lol, now we are looking into getting the blue spotted stringray. I've found that it gets along with the dog face puffer and will eat the shrimp I will be breeding.

http://godscreationsunderthesea.com/pd- ... ingray.cfm

Anyone here have a personal experience they would like to share?

Seahorses need specialty tanks. They don't really even do well in reef tanks. They require low currents which a puffer tank would need a larger current. Not to mention it might be a snack. It's the whole predator vs. prey thing. So it's a 0% chance.

jdak wrote:Seahorses need specialty tanks. They don't really even do well in reef tanks. They require low currents which a puffer tank would need a larger current. Not to mention it might be a snack. It's the whole predator vs. prey thing. So it's a 0% chance.

Wife: "Awwwwwww" *Shakes Fists*

I do not suggest keeping a porc with a DF at all.

Octopus, seahorse and rays, should never be attempted by a first time saltwater tank owner! All are highly sensitive creatures with exacting needs more so than the majority of commonly kept marine animals.

Especially someone leaving the tank for some time.

Octopus need to be kept by themselves, and they are known for escaping from their tanks.

Can you actually buy an octopus to keep in a tank? I didn't know they were sold as aquarium pets. I don't think I'd want to keep something that intelligent locked up in a small tank all day, that would bother me and I would feel horrible for doing so. They need to be able to go where and when they want, but I suppose one could make that argument for most aquarium kept creatures.

pufferpuggirl wrote:Can you actually buy an octopus to keep in a tank? I didn't know they were sold as aquarium pets. I don't think I'd want to keep something that intelligent locked up in a small tank all day, that would bother me and I would feel horrible for doing so. They need to be able to go where and when they want, but I suppose one could make that argument for most aquarium kept creatures.

Actually the octopus is very much quite tiny. 8cm total size of body with only 20cm tentacles. As for him escaping, I would have to watch him for 24-48 hours and just fill in any openings I can find on a tank. I would already get a 100% secured tank with all filters and protruding equipment covered by screens.

Mek0ng wrote:Octopus, seahorse and rays, should never be attempted by a first time saltwater tank owner! All are highly sensitive creatures with exacting needs more so than the majority of commonly kept marine animals.

Pufferpunk wrote:Especially someone leaving the tank for some time.

As for firsttime saltwater tank owner, I used to work at a LFS, though it would be different maintaining myself. As I am replying to pufferpunk as well, is I am not putting in any animals/pets/fish until I return from deployment. Just setting up the tank to run on its own and my wife will keep the water regulated while I am gone. I want perfect settings before I chance hurting any of my favorite fishies

Pufferpunk wrote:I do not suggest keeping a porc with a DF at all.

I am rethinking that, because I am thinking of switching the porc with a blue spotted stingray. They stay quite small and a 200+g tank should suit its needs. I will of course be upgrading in the future a couple years down the road.


On a last note, with Porcupine and Dog Face puffer with Stingray. I don't expect the Porcupine do well, so the store I am getting him from, I am verifying that they have a return policy if he is overly agressive because once in awhile you get nice placid community fish. If he starts bothing my dog face or my stingray I will just bring him back to the store before any harm happens to any fish and someone with a more suitable tank for him can take him home as their buddy.

Octos can be found as dwarf species--there is a gal who has one in my reef club. Unfortunately, their lifespan is very short & you don't know how old it is at time of purchase.

Pufferpunk wrote:Octos can be found as dwarf species--there is a gal who has one in my reef club. Unfortunately, their lifespan is very short & you don't know how old it is at time of purchase.

awww that is very side. I was hoping for him to live a couple of years.... My wife will be so dissapointed. She was so excited I was setting up a puffer tank because she wanted to put a little octo in there. I told her probably no octo so she said seahorse but they can't go in there as well.

Really its a if you have to ask you shouldnt keep kind of thing. Rays and cephalopods really shouldnt even be offered as normal aquarium stock, please skip!

If you are thinking of having a puffer tank, stick with it! They are much more hearty.

There is a LFS near me that sometimes has blue ring octos, yes the ones that can kill you, just because its offered doesn't mean it should be!

Rays are going to need a huge amount of open sandy bottom, and at least 24" wide tank.

Mek0ng wrote:Really its a if you have to ask you shouldnt keep kind of thing. Rays and cephalopods really shouldnt even be offered as normal aquarium stock, please skip!

If you are thinking of having a puffer tank, stick with it! They are much more hearty.

There is a LFS near me that sometimes has blue ring octos, yes the ones that can kill you, just because its offered doesn't mean it should be!

Rays are going to need a huge amount of open sandy bottom, and at least 24" wide tank.

That is why I am asking. As for rays, yes I am getting a blue spotted ray. I am spending a year cycling the tank for perfect marine life before I introduce the Dog Face and Ray, but the bottom of the tank is very wide. Its a 220g. I'll have to get dimensions sometime. I'm picking it up at the LFS when possible

the turning radius is what stopped my from making the mistake of getting a ray

I had just under 24" an am happy I chose not to get one. It would have been a costly mistake. (in my situation)