The Puffer Forum

...in a 200-250? I will probably end up getting a 200 but am aiming at a 250 xD I am trying to figure stocking for a 200 though so please let me know if I cross into 250 territory. ^^ I am new with marine stocking, figuring out my first marine experience right now with a bitty GSP (and he is cute! I have fallen desperately in love with the 'puffer face') I know I want a porc and I'd like to know if I can keep any of these fellows with him:ht now ^^

-Clown Trigger (they would be the only two fish in the tank)
-Spotted Bristletooth Tang(Ctenochaetus truncatus), Red Stripe Angelfish (Centropyge eibli), and Jewel Damselfish (Microspathodon chrysurus)
-Volitan Lionfish (they would be the only two fish in the tank)
-Antennata Lionfish (Pterois antennata) and Harlequin Tusk (Choerodon fasciatus)
-Red/Orange Angler (Antennarius sp.), Antennata Lionfish (Pterois antennata), and Red Stripe Angelfish (Centropyge eibli)
-Snowflake Eel (do you ever see these guys in the tank?), Red Stripe Angelfish (Centropyge eibli), Yellow Tang

Am I approximating how many fish can go into a marine tank correctly? Ha ha, I hope to set up the tank and get the fish within a year or two so it's just dreaming right now ^^ lol

From what Ive herd any lionfish and puffer make bad tank mates . Puffer also may much on bottom dwellers like eels, and As for the Clown trigger Ive herd they are very aggressive . Then with anglers you have to be very careful cuz if it fits in there mouth its food!

Does that mean that the tang, angel, and damsel are suitable or should I have only the porc in the tank? =O Thanks for the info! Poor bottom dwellers xD

Oh! And am I stocking correctly as far as how many fish compared to their size and level of aggression? Could I add more? Less?

Im not sure about the other species ! But Im sure the experts will post shortly!

Porcupine puffers are actually surprisingly tolerant of tankmates of similar size when compared to other puffers. I personally believe in species tanks, but my father has kept these with tangs, hawkfish, squirrelfish, and some species of trigger successfully. Tangs are by far the best tankmates from my experience.

I have seen many successful FOWLR tanks with porcs, angelfish, and tangs together.

Thanks for the info guys! Has anyone had any luck with housing them with any of the Canthigaster puffers?

Am I on the right track as far as stocking goes?

Here is a list of fish that I like that no one has yet mentioned would be bad tankmates:

spotted bristletooth tang
red stripe angelfish
yellow tang
harlequin tusk
jewel damselfish
powder blue tang
mimic lemon peel tang
two spot bristletooth tang
red hawkfish
spotted hawkfish

Will you let me know if any of them would be a bad idea please? You can find them all on liveaquaria btw, if you don't recognize any ^^

I know someone with a harlequin tusk, yellow tang and powder blue with a porc with no problems. The puff is probably out and dont know about the others

Thanks! That's very helpful, the tangs seem to be a hit with porcs lol And thank you for mentioning the harlequin tusk, I'm totally in love with that fish xD

Say, why do lionfish make bad tankmates for puffers? Do the puffers go after the little antenna parts on the lionfish and they fight often because of it? And also, how small is too small of a tankmate for porcs?

I've seen folks post here often about their puffers getting stung by the lion's poisonous spines. PB tangs are highly susceptible to getting/carrying crypt.

Oh I see. And thanks for the note about the powder blue tangs ^^ Why is that?

Just the way their immune system works (or doesn't work).