The Puffer Forum

A few months ago I changed my fw community tank for a brakish puffer tank. I was advised that my 80 litres would be fine for 3 GSPs and 3 F8s. I've read lots on this site and realise how wrong that is! I'm currently cycling (fishless) a new 450 litre tank for the Puffers. They show no signs of aggression...yet! They are still young though, I know as they grow my F8s will be in trouble.
I'm thinking of rehoming my GSPs and putting Gobies in with the F8s. I've also heard of Ceylon Puffers being good with F8s. Any other suggestions/advice? It's a huge tank for 3 F8s! The tank is planted with rocks & bogwood.

Yes one of two has to go. That tank is large enough to keep either. If you keep the GSP's then you will need to eventually take then to full marine though. Puffers for the most part do not mix well with others and that includes there own kind. They become more aggressive as they get older.

If you want info on F8's and gobies look here:
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=25003

F8's are not suitable to live with ceylons. Some have had success keeping GSPs and ceylons while others have had serious issues. I'd stick with just F8's or F8's and BBGs.

Thanks! I've accepted the GSPs will have to go. How many BBGs can I add? I'm assuming no other fish will go in?

My vote is for the GSPs! But I maybe a little biased! & it is not essential that they are taken to full marine - they will do fine in mid to high end BW as they mature.

I'm loathed to part with either! My reason for keeping the F8s is at least I can have some BBGs in there too, 450 litre tank with 3 fish in seems excessive!

ahhh but what a low end BW planted tank that would make

How many BBGs should I put in my 450 litre tank with my 3 F8s? The tank is well planted with rocks and bogwood.

I've read 1 bumblebee per 20cm diameter of the tanks' footprint but you could probably get away with one or two more if you had rocks and plants creating different heights. You may also want to try a shoal of halfbeaks which stay at the top of the tank - I had one which was a bit of a bully to all of the other fish but my tank is much smaller than yours and they would probably spread the aggression amongst themselves instead of your puffers.

I do not think mixing half-beaks with puffers is a good idea. Two aggressive fish housed together is asking for problems and not the best situation for either.

Many hobbyoists do many things which are not the optimum for the fish they keep. The fact that some "get away" with it does no make it the best living conditions.

Do you want to keep fish alive and healthy or do you want to watch fish fights.? If the first, this is the forum for you. If the latter, try Monster Fish Keepers.

RTR wrote:I do not think mixing half-beaks with puffers is a good idea. Two aggressive fish housed together is asking for problems and not the best situation for either.

I had read that if you keep a shoal of halfbeaks then their agression tends to be spread out amongst themselves and they then tend to ignore the other species in the tank. I do however bow to RTR's experience and knowledge in fish-keeping which is obviously more substantial than my own.

Do you want to keep fish alive and healthy or do you want to watch fish fights.? If the first, this is the forum for you. If the latter, try Monster Fish Keepers.

Great, RTR!