The Puffer Forum

Hello everyone long time since I been here, because I have not owned a puffer in some time now.

My interest in the aquatic hobby is in jeopardy, because I dont have a pufferfish, I love these guys and have owned a few in the past...

I am losing interest in my 100 uk gallon tank because its basically a community setup, hard to explain why it ended up that way, Im considering selling my community fish to get myself another puffer, only problem is, there is a fish I want to keep, a 12 inch fire eel, Im so torn on what to do, I realise that most puffers will terrorize other fish, I am aware MBU's can be peaceful but I dont have space for a such a massive animal.

I really like fahakas, but theyre aggresive mostly, anyone that owns one can share some experience of theirs? Would one go for my fire eel? (he spends all his time in a ship!)

And what other species of fairly large FW puffers MAY work with the fire eel if any?

Im aware South american puffers would work but unfortunately theyre almost impossible to get here in the uk (as alot of species).

Any help would be much appreciated.

other than the fahaka and mbu i dont think there are really any realistically available large puffers for FW. i would think an eel would look too much like a worm or something of the sort and be harassed. i have a GSP and had a snowflake eel with him. he was fine with him but he has also been a very non aggressive puffer so far. i have since gotten rid of the eel because i downgraded my tank from a 75 to a 54 corner tank. also smaller puffs might be eaten, or at least try to be eaten if small enough for the eel to fit in its mouth. they say dont put anything in with a puffer your not willing to lose eventually, no matter it being a week/month/year(s) with other fish

I made the mistake of trying my 18" Fire Eel with my Fahaka. As soon as the lights went out the eel tried to cuddle with the puffer and CHOMP. 2 nasty bites...not lethal thankfully. The Eel is now in his own tank and recovered nicely. The Fahaka lives alone for the most part.

Sorry,...if you want to keep the eel I think it rules out any puffers.

Its pretty much what I suspected, thanks for the replies guys!

If you wanted to go down the SAP route and can get some cash ready, Wildwoods do them though unsure if they will deliver on this particular species. Where are you based, I keep seeing them down here in Bournemouth, Dorset.

i think SAP + fire eel = dead fire eel and SAP IMO if something can fit in an eels mouth it will most likely go in there

Hi Kell_Boy,

I've seen SAP housed with Fire Eels and Grass Eels at my local LFS (who is quite a reputable guy so I would trust him) and he had no problems with them (I'm not saying it would be an ideal paring or that it would last forever).

Where abouts in the UK are you? As here in Plymouth (which is close to absolutely nothing) at least one of the shops has them in.

Have you tried Maidenhead Aquatics? I've even seen them in Pets At Home!

Hope this helps

You can't judge by the short-term housing at a LFS.

ya just cause a LFS has something housed together doesnt mean it will work. They plan on fish staying together for a few days/week tops.

My LFS has had oscars with larger goldfish, these guys have a halfass idea what they are talking about. But still by no means is that a good combo for long term

I wasn't saying you could, I was saying what I had seen, from someone who I know and have had a lot of good advice and fish from over the years.

Well this is weird, there must be 2 of the same threads I made by accident, as I replied to this saying I Had rehomed my current fish and got a fahaka puffer!

I got him on saturday and he is still settling in atm, he has eaten some cockle and yesterday ate 3 winkles (not sure if yoo americans call them that but all my puffers I owned in the past love them, have to be removed from shell though as the shells are like rock!)

he is a great little guy, or her I guess who knows why I always call puffers "hims" never have a clue what gender they are, only downside is atm my substrate is a very fine black artificial gravel so his colours stay very dark, i will change this in the future to get the best out of his colours.

he is about 5 inches long, and in a 5 foot by 2 foot 100 Uk gallon tank, think this is 125 US gallons, Im debating a 6x2 in the future though!