Tank size for Fahaka/Pustulatus

[maryhm]

I've been reading that 120 is the minimum. I have room in my home office for a 72" tank. Finding the 125/135 size that is 18" wide is pretty easy. Finding the 180 which is 24" wide is more difficult. Would an 18" wide tank be enough room, or am I setting my puffer up for problems at that width?

[Aquarist]

I've never kept a fahaka. But they max out at about 19". To me a 18-19" fish in a 18" width tank is going to be a bit cramped. Read here: Minimum Tank Size: 120 US gallons (450 liters) - Ideally a tank with 24" or more turning room front to back

Cant say for certain. Have never had a fahaka

[xrayjeeper83]

you want a 120 for the turning room. I picked up a 115 or so(its metric) that is 22 in width and that should be fine for him.
Pufferpunk on here has hers in a 125g which is 18 1/2in wide and she says she beleives it has stunted her fahaka's growth.

[xrayjeeper83]

please dont put one in a 75, atleast not a perm home. Grow out tank ok if you can get a 120 soon. Mine is in a 55 right now but he is only about 3 inchs right now. And I have a bigger tank just waiting on the filters sand etc

[pufferpuggirl]

I picked up a 4' x 2' x 2' which ends up being 120 gallons, perfect for a Fahaka. However I've got my Ceylons in there.

[maryhm]

After doing more research, I have my heart set on a T. pustulatus. At least those are a bit smaller than the T. lineatus. I'm doing my best to find a 24" wide tank. I'd prefer not to go up to a 180 gallon, but that seems to be the only size available around here in that width. I want to get something set up asap, because I already have feelers out for the fish, and when one turns up, I want to be cycled and ready for him/her!

[pufferpuggirl]

It will be nice to have someone on the forum who's got a pustulatus and can tell us about their behaviour and habits.

[maryhm]

Does no one here have one?

[Hilly]

Not many Pustulatus pop up they are extremely rare and very expensive and then the usual debae of whether it is a true Pustulatus raises its head or a Fahaka Pustulatus cross.

[pufferpuggirl]

I do think it's a beautiful puffer, but I can't justify that high price tag. Just looks similar to a Fahaka in my opinion. Of course, I would not refuse one if someone gave one to me, but I'd never pay the kind of money they go for over here.

And I'd still like evidence of a Fahaka breeding with a pustulatus.

[maryhm]

Yes, I spoke to an LFS here today that said they ordered in 6 Pustulatus a while back and they had lines and spots. I told him about the "hybrid" theory. Fortunately, I can get pics of whatever fish I get before it leaves the supplier's facility, so hopefully I can avoid the problem. Maybe if I get a larger one, that will help as well with ID purposes.

[xrayjeeper83]

A larger one will help with the ID, but larger ones tend to be more money and you dont get to watch it grow(to me is half the fun of having pets)

[pufferpuggirl]

I agree with xray .... I much prefer a smaller puffer to a larger one any day. I enjoy my puffers growing and I believe that you are better off with a smaller puffer seeing as they are wild caught and I think it's easier for a smaller/younger puffer to adjust to being captive kept than it is for an older puffer who's lived most of his life in the wild.

[eclipse]

You should be fine with the 18" wide aquarium. I have never seen in person or in pictures a captive fahaka that was 18-19". It just does not happen.

[Hilly]

You should be fine with the 18" wide aquarium. I have never seen in person or in pictures a captive fahaka that was 18-19". It just does not happen.

A former mods on here was around 17",saw that one in person, another members was around the 16" mark it and some in Germany posted up pics of one stated to be 19" and it looked every bit of it. It does happen but I would say 15" is more the norm.