The Puffer Forum

Hi,

I went to the my local fish store last night and saw a baby star and stripe puffer. I've done some research on puffers and I fell in love with this guy. The store owner told me that his star and stripe puffers are tank bred which means they wont get any bigger than 4-5 inches MAX. He really stressed that they wont get any bigger than that. I almost bought him, but I knew they get bigger than 4-5 inches.

Is it true that a tank bred S&S puffer can stay only 4-5 inches?

Also, I have some Peppermint Shrimp and some snails in my tank. I don't care if the snails go (i figure they'll get eaten up pretty fast), but the Peppermint shrimps I'd like to keep cause they are cool to watch, but I assume the shrimp will get eaten as well. Is that a correct assumption?


Thanks a Bunch!

No they are not tank bred, that would be nearly impossible and they will most definitely get bigger than 5 inches.

This is a large puffer requiring a tank of around 180 gallons.

The shrimps will probably be goners.

Please never return to that pet store again...the whole tank bred thing is a lie, it could not happen even by accident...which tells me they are willing to tell you anything to sell you a fish..

Have you already bought him?

I knew it!!!!!

No, I haven’t purchased him yet. Once he told me they stay small I got really excited. But then I thought Bullsheez and thought I’d double check. Glad I did cause I’ve got a mature 55 gallon reef tank that couldn’t handle a huge puffer.

Thanks

What they would do is lie and sell you the fish...and when your tank could not handle the bioload of this large puffer and then the puffer dies...when you go to complain to the store..they will ask for a sample of your water...and because your cycle is out-of-whack from all the puffer bioload..they would tell you that it is your fault the puffer died because something was wrong with your water..then they would sell you a bunch of uses products to fix your water and some more fish


What other fish do you have in the tank...there are some other puffers that would do well in a SW 55 gallon.

I meant to say useless products not uses LOL

We have a LFS around here that sells baby DF puffers in BW. That way more folks will buy them, thinking they'll never have to set up a SW tank.

So glad you came here before buying it!

As of now, I only have a maroon clownfish. I use to have a longhorn cowfish, but he died after 8 months. I'm either going to get a puffer or another longhorn. I like the interactions they provide.

You can't have a long horn in a 55 gallon...it is a 20+ inch fish...bigger than a basketball. Even a small one would be too much bioload for a 55 gallon.

When the last one died was your cycle in-check? 0,0,<10?

What type of system do you have?

A Green spotted puffer would do well in a FO or FOWLR....BUT maroon clowns are mean and their could be a problem...but then again you might have a problem with anything you put with a maroon.

The maroon I had, bit my puffer's tail to a nub.

Every one of my maroon clowns has had a different attitude. I currently have a goldstripe maroon that is about as layed-back as you could hope for... except if she feels cornered.

Clownfish as a group are nasty nippers/biters. I do agree that the maroons are the nastiest of the group - beautiful fish, but best on their own or with damsels which steer clear of them.