The Puffer Forum

I am trying to upgrade my 5.5 gallon to a 30 gallon and want to get a nice puffer. I know pufferes are smart and have wonderful personalities. I was hopeing a dog face puffer would work for that size tank but I found out they need much bigger tanks. So what do you guys suggest for a 30 gallon? Also is it ok to keep a puffer in the basement were it is usually dark but the light on the tank would obviously be on though. I mean our computer is in the basement and it is a non finished basement so people are usually down here but not always.

If it's the only fish in there & it's a 30 long, you can keep any of the sharpose species.

Is that all? I cant even have a GSP? I have hoping that I could at least get a GSP.

you can do a single GSP

now if I bought one from the pet store what will the salinity of the water be most likely? and how much is it safe to raise its salinity within an hour or 2. like lets says the salinity was 1.012 can I raise ti 1.016 in a 2 hour period or is that unsafe?

A 30g is the bare minimum for a GSP. Imagine a Nerf football swimming in there. They produce a lot larger bioload than a toby.

I guess I will stick with 2 or 3 figure eights

2 F8 is a max for 30gal

So if I set up the tank and cycle it then get the puffers it wouldn't be a bad thing to keep in the basement right?

Try to keep your tank away from a direct sun light, like next to a window. I guess basement will work.

You should check out craigslist. You can generally find good priced tanks on there and if you get a 55 gallon tank you could definitely support a GSP.

I can't go any bigger thank 30 gallons. I'm still not sure what to do. I think I want a figure eight or 2. Two would be nice so they got a buddy. But what substrate should I use and how should I begin the cycle the tank? With salt or not? Also what do I feed them besides snails and blood worms.

Puffers are actually better off as a solo pet (with the exception of Dwarf Puffers and South American Puffers [and even than, it varies]). Puffers will display more of their personality and better become attached to you if you keep them solo. Sand is a very common substrate for puffers. Some people say that you should cycle fresh and some people say it's fine to cycle brackish. People around here have tested it and it's okay to cycle a tank at 1.002 (possibly up to 1.003, wait for another input on this). You're going to need to fishless cycle with a source of pure ammonia, though. You can often find straight ammonia at ACE hardware. (How to test if it's pure is shake it, and make sure it doesn't turn foamy).

As far as food goes, snails are a great option but you can also feed live earthworms, shrimp, tilapia, clams, and so on. Be sure when buying food from the grocery store that it's UNCOOKED and UNSEASONED.

I can't go any bigger thank 30 gallons. I'm still not sure what to do. I think I want a figure eight or 2. Two would be nice so they got a buddy. But what substrate should I use and how should I begin the cycle the tank? With salt or not? Also what do I feed them besides snails and blood worms.

Cycle the tank at the SG the puffers are in at the shop you are purchasing them from. Use aragonite sand for substrate.