The Puffer Forum

One of my most recent puffer purchases was a red congo. He's been living w/ us comfortably for a few months now & I'm starting to wonder how quickly...or slowly...congo's typically grow? With our fahaka it seems he grows a noticeable amount everyday (I'm being dramatic of course)! But I haven't noticed a change at all in the congo (I'd say he's not quite an inch long currently).

Keep in mind that Fahakas are one of the fastest growing puffers, at least in freshwater, so you can't really compare them with other puffers. I don't believe that Congo puffers grow very quickly, at least mine don't, but I'm sure there are other factors that determine how fast a puffer grows (genetics, size of tank, etc.).

Congos and most of the lurker species are fairly slow growers. Both my Turgdis and my Suvatti were but wee little lads when I first got them, about two years ago, not they are just little lads. Both have put on only about an inch length but have gotten very wide.....healthy appetites too! Their fav foods are earthworms, shrimp, and my fingers...

Dadof4 wrote:Their fav foods are earthworms, shrimp, and my fingers...

Yes, those lurkers can mistake our fingers for food sometimes. I always watch my fingers when I do tank work.

Thanks, you all confirmed what I had thought. I guessed he'd be slow growing since their not as active (though mine is VERY active right now when the light is on, maybe It's a baby puff thing).

And as far as the fahaka...I doubt I'll ever keep another creature that grows as fast as he does!!