The Puffer Forum

Ok I have been doing some reading on these guys and herd everything from "they will kill everything" to "except for some inverts and sedentary fish its totaly chill". I also read that you can keep other puffers with the porcupine...such as a golden or even another porcupine, is this true? I have a feeling this fish is almost like an oscar....some are really agressive and others are total puppies it just depends on the fish, am I close on that? Because I would be fine with just a puffer, but if I could pull off having some other med/large tank mates I would gladly like to have a nice tang, larger clown, etc. Also are there ANY corals or anemone's that can co exist with a porcupine? Just figure I wouls ask b/c there are some FW plants that FW herbivores wont eat.

How big is the tank? As with all puffer, each one's personality & aggression level is different. Some are puppydogs & others are vicious killers, even of the same species. From what I read, combining porcs & DF together, usually ends badly. I suggest smaller, fast-moving fish or species large enough not to be bullied by the puffer (if the tank is big enough).

Pufferpunk wrote:How big is the tank? As with all puffer, each one's personality & aggression level is different. Some are puppydogs & others are vicious killers, even of the same species. From what I read, combining porcs & DF together, usually ends badly. I suggest smaller, fast-moving fish or species large enough not to be bullied by the puffer (if the tank is big enough).

Well the porcupine im getting is 3 1/2 inches...so he's a lil guy and he is going into a 90g. What I really want is a nice purple/orange shoulder/achillies tang, a maroon gold band clown and maybe a flame angel or clown/blue jaw trigger. All of them being juvi except for the clown. Would these be suitable tankmates?

If he doesn't turn out to be the latter puffer I described( a vicious killing machine), then those are all suitable tank mates for a porc--in a 250-300g tank. I love Clown triggers!

Pufferpunk wrote:If he doesn't turn out to be the latter puffer I described( a vicious killing machine), then those are all suitable tank mates for a porc--in a 250-300g tank. I love Clown triggers!

Ok last question, are there any inverts that are not nessicaraly safe but are generally left alone by a puffer? (like java/anubis with cichlids)? Thanks for the advice PP, this sounds like a good excuse to get a big 240 or 300 wide I can hear it now.

" OMG!! are you serious???"

"but honey it's for the fish....they NEED a tank this big! Look at that face....*points at porcupine puffer* how can you say no to that??? "

The face'll get em every time! There is a slight chance, since they are around for cleaning purposes, a skunk cleaner shrimp might be allowed but they've been known to eat them too.

Pufferpunk wrote:The face'll get em every time! There is a slight chance, since they are around for cleaning purposes, a skunk cleaner shrimp might be allowed but they've been known to eat them too.

cool....Guess I might just make sure there are plenty of hiding spots and hope for the best. All corals are subject to destruction as well?

Leathers & softies may be safe since they taste bad but again, you never know.