The Puffer Forum

I would like to convert my 30 gal into a singleton puffer tank... I am looking for a very interactive puffer (not nocturnal or shy)... does anyone have suggestions or experience with Red Eye Red Tail, Red Eye Red Belly, or Abei puffers? Any votes on your favorite? Thank you!

I have experience with red eye red tail puffers (irrubescos). Ours are quite bold and interactive. They're bold enough to bite but it doesn't hurt unless they get a sensitive area (like a cuticle). We have 4 and each one has a different personality. They're all piggies too and eat everything we give them which is nice. They watch us a lot and if we start looking at the tank the ones that are out start begging for food. If we open the lid they're all guaranteed to be in the feeding area waiting for food.

I believe that irrubescos are nicer to each other than the red eye red belly ones (lorteti). I have no experiences with them.

Lastly, for an abei, I'm going to watch what is said. That is the puffer that I want next. There's a local store that will order one and it's so tempting to get one

I had a female lorteti for a while & then added 2 more F & a M. She killed the 2 F the 1st night & then after spawning with the M 3x, she killed him too. Of course, this was before I knew better & they were all in a 10g tank. It might have worked in something much larger & heavily decorated & of course, it they had all been introduced as juvies, at the same time. Dr Ebert says they do best in pairs.

Any experience with abei's?

there is a guy over on MFK that has recently purchased one

Abei's are nice looking, get to a decent size but would do nicely in a 30 gallon, they can be quite active but will also lurk. Mine didnt like a lot of open space and preferred lots of decor to swim in and out of and lurk under. Can be a bit picky with food. Never could get him to eat cockel but mussels, prawns snails and bloodworms were readily accepted. If you feed and they dont eat, leave it for a couple of days.

I loves me some Colomesus asellus