The Puffer Forum

this is STRICTLY a curiousity question so don't flip on me and tell me i have to upgrade my tank for my puffer because i will soon enough (he's less than 2 inches long in a 20 gallon tank right now) but is "stunting their growth" necessarily bad for them? or will it just cause them to not grow to their full potential ?

once again, simply a curiousity question

I don't think this should be a problem for a while in a 20g. My GSP 3"+ (4" almost) was less than 2"(about 1.5") when I got him, I've had him less than a year and he's been in a 20g. his whole life.

no i know. everyone on here seems to bug out when i say he's in a 20 gallon tank but he seems to love his home and i know it'll be good for a while.

do you think they all grow like yours did? or do some get stunted from the "small tank"

That may depend on the individual puffer. He should be fine in a 20g. for up to a year I would think. I would get a 55g. or the biggest tank possible(30g. would be fine, for a single GSP I would aim for 30g-55g) once you can though. I am saving to buy a larger setup currently. I'm not an expert(though I'm getting there ) for more info I would ask Pufferpunk.

thank you very much for the tips. do you have any pics of your puffer? i'd love to see him

nevermind, i found them lol any updates ones? the one in your picture looks pretty tiny

Stunting their growth and shortening their lifespan tend to go hand in hand. That's why we freak out when we hear of a GSP in a small tank.