The Puffer Forum

I am a huge fan of native tanks. So I was looking around in one of my field guids and found that diadon holocanthicus is native to my area. I would like to know if I could have one in a tank with a Cynoscion nebulosus and an ospansus beta? I am thinking the puffer might pick on the toadfish though. Please give me your thoughts.

I think an adult toadfish (it's Opsanus beta) of about a foot will try to devour your puffer (Diodon holocanthus that is) and both may end up dead. There's an interesting online picture somewhere showing a similar combination.

Cynoscion nebulosus is also possible Opsanus prey. Also, I don't think they can be kept alive for years in a home aquarium. These fishes need a lot of swimming space... talking about several 1000 or 10.000 of gallons to fulfill their basic needs. Also see http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewc ... quarium%22

very interesting paper.... I will find something else like maybe a threadfin lookdown? And what if the puffer is much larger than the toadfish?

I guess if the puffer is larger than the toadfish this could work, but I do share your concern that the puffer might try the interesting looking skin extensions of the toadfish or the dorsal fin. Threadfin lookdown is sometimes recommended for tanks as small as 125 gallon, but I say look at them in a public aquarium first... they are quite dinner plate like and prefer living in groups, similar to Monos. Also, I'm not sure if the puffer can resist the thread fins. It will depend a lot on the specific puffer, some D. holocanthus are absolutely harmless and tolerant of smaller fishes, some are aggressive even biting groupers and tangs of similar size.

so yeah the threadfins have to be kept in groups of at least three. instead I'll probably go for a french angel and a spanish hogfish with the puff. think it will work?

Yes, they should be compatible.