The Puffer Forum

Hello,

I have a 20 gallon tank that I would like to stock with Red Eye Red Tail puffers. Can I keep one alone with some other kind of fish, or are they happiest in pairs? Could I put 2 of them in a 20 gallon tank, if they do indeed need to be kept in pairs? Also, what kind of tank mates do they tolerate? Thanks!

A pair would be perfect in there! I'm sure they'd love a planted tank.

A pair would be nice. But red tailed puffers can have very different temperament, so you can risk one killing the other. What's important is a heavily planted tank, so you break up their line of sight. I would not keep any other fish with them. Puffers are aggressive fish, and any other fish do not go well with them. You risk injury or death of the other fish. Besides, your tank can't keep more than a pair of red tail puffers. More fish will be over stocking your tank.

If I do try to keep a pair, would it be better to get 2 females, or 1 male and 1 female?

LOL, unless they're gay, a pair means M & F.

You can ask--they're allowed to tell now!

Oops, didn't know that! The only reason I ask is because I know that with some fish, 2 males will kill each other, or fight at the very least. I guess I thought that if I can't find a male and female that perhaps 2 females might be more likely to get along.

You are correct but the males are prettier.

Irrubescos are lovely fish. Definitely aggressive though. They have such attitudes and ours are very smart and bold.