The Puffer Forum

ok so i have a cycled 29 gallon tank, its a little on the tall side rather then length.

I currently have 1 bala shark and a few guppies in there.
Tank is currently freshwater.(prefer to keep it that way.)

I have had a GSP puffer befor, was a great little critter.
But a bit aggressive.

I also have a 10g tank witch is a breader tank for the most part left over from him.

Im looking for some thing that is FW and can live most if not all its life in the 29 Gallon tank, but all the info i have found over the last couple months is very confusing and im a bit lost as what to for now.

I tested the water the other day and everything is good the PH is about 8.2-8.4 water is a little hard in the area i live in.

basicly im just looking for what puffer i should get and maybe how hard they are to find, as the LFS usually cary GSP of some type and DPs.

I want something that will grow to be about 3-4 in not to much bigger.

Thanks if you can help.

Jasen

Welcome! you came to the right place for puffer info! there are many sources on the web that will give false information about puffers, be reassured that this is the right place!

If you want to put a FW puffer in the 29 gal, the guppies will have to go.( puffers + guppies = guppies without tails, or dead ) im not sure about the bala, but i know he will eventually get too large for a 29 gallon tank.

A good candidate for FW puffers are T.turgidis, A.modestus, and even T miurus. please go to http://www.pufferlist.com. and read about the different types of puffers.

were you aware that any tank size less then 29 gallons is too small for a GSP? and they also need to eventually be acclimated to full marine conditions.

I think a modestus would be a good bet for your tank, if the current citizens were relocated.

please read all of our excelent library articles and stickys.

thanks i was reading puffer list earlier, ill have to check these certain ones.

yes i know it was to small for the GSP he was transfered to a friends 55g tank and as of late is doing great.

The guppies were really in there for cycling\GSP food to begin with and just servived.

Other quick ?

The tank is currently setup with with peble sized substrate, 6-7 fake plants a cool looking Rock\waterfall decor that has bublles and some old cleaned out bottle(no sharp or rough edges) see any problems with the current decor?

Decor is up to you. Sounds fine to me. Substrate is only an issue when going brackish, or when you have a burying puffer, who may prefer sand.

crazyforpuffs wrote: Substrate is only an issue when going brackish,

Why is it an issue when you are brackish Does it have to do with parameters or do some substrates slowly breakdown in salt

Also check out the South American Puffers. I am waiting for some at the LFS for my new puffer tank. I think one or two would do fine in your tank but feel free to correct me anyone.
I also had high pH but was able to lower it with bogwood. I don't know if this is recommended or not though. I boiled the wood for about two hours to leech out all of the tannin.

When you go brackish or marine, a lot of people use special substrates to buffer their water, crushed coral or argonite are the usual ones.

The bala shark will definately have to go.. I've seen them get stunted in a 90 gallon tank.

If you can find SAP's, they are very nice fish but need dental work. Modestus are very cool as well, but very agressive, it would be the only fish in the tank I'd guess.