The Puffer Forum

Hi,
I am fascinated by puffers, and would love to own these amazing fish.
We have a 6 foot tank set up, (did post about that) but after seeking advice I have decided against having puffers in the same tank - 1) it's a community tank 2) I swear the tin foils could probably swallow the little things!

Right, so the only option would be to have a separate tank for puffer pleasure.
My questions:

I've had very mixed opinions after green spotted and figure-eight puffers. Some say they'll do fine in fresh water, other say they'll only be happy in brackish. Your opinions on this?

I've heard some puffers such as the Amazon and Pygmy/Dwarf like to be kept in groups. I'd like to have a pair or group anyway, so what would everyone's recommendation for tank size be?

If I did have to limit numbers to one, would he be ok? Or be completely bored? Reading that they're very intelligent, the worst thing would be to see the little guy pacing the glass in boredom. Apparently heavily decorated aquariums would help?

I have very limited space, so tank sizes with me the deciding point!

Thanks,
OzKo

F8 are low brackish
GSP are high end brackish to SW

Now, you could keep SAP's in a community tank as some members here did

Our library of articles and the PufferPedia aren't working right now - we're working on upgrading the forum. Otherwise, I'd link you to good reads on those species. Some of the articles in the new Library subforum, but not many of them, and some, but not all, of the PufferPedia entries are here, along with (I don't know why) a few Library articles: viewforum.php?f=38

Dwarf puffers do fine alone or in groups, provided that if you have more than one male, you have at least two females for each of them. The problem is that when you get them in the store, they're too young to sex, so this can be hard. You will get different opinions on stocking - between 3g and 5g each. You definitely want to have them in a good-size tank, though, even if they're alone, since they are pretty active.

SAPs actually need to live in groups. You'd want at least three, if not more. They are also fairly likely to get along with some other tankmates, especially fast-moving fish. Neale Monks' article isn't available right now, but he lists some good species in it. You could PM him if you want to know more. I think the PufferPedia recommended 10g each and plenty of space, since they're active.

GSPs and F8s can do fine alone or with others of their own species. Ditto PolishPuff on the salinity needs.

Heavily decorated aquariums are definitely helpful with boredom.

29g filled w/dwarves or a 55 w/a buncha SA's would be cool.

OzKo wrote:...
If I did have to limit numbers to one, would he be ok? Or be completely bored? Reading that they're very intelligent, the worst thing would be to see the little guy pacing the glass in boredom. Apparently heavily decorated aquariums would help?

A singleton in a 10g would be perfect, especially if he can see you often or next to your desk. The second your eyes turn toward the tank, he'll be right there in front. Add a shrimp and/or a large snail (apple, JTD, mystery, nerite) and it'll be a great setup.

You mean a DP, not a SAP, right?

^
After re-reading the OP and replies, I think we all are comment on different things.

OzKo, please clarify...South American or Dwarf Puffer.

He was talking about both, I think.

Agree that GSPs are high end BW to full marine, and can be keep most economically (life cycle cost over 15+ years) in FOWLR + skimmer +macroalgae refugium.

Agree that F-8 should be in low-end BW at 1.003 - 1.005 specific gravity.

SAPs are the only schooling puffer we can handle easily in captivity. They are FW and do best with conspecifics. I personally have had very poor results over their life cycle when co-house with other fish and therefore must resprectfully disagree strongly w/Neale Monks article. Short-term while the fish are young may be okay, but you can expect serious issues and deaths long-term. These are not short-lived fish - unless they are in mixed tanks.

HTH

LilGreenPuffer wrote:Our library of articles and the PufferPedia aren't working right now - we're working on upgrading the forum. Otherwise, I'd link you to good reads on those species. Some of the articles in the new Library subforum, but not many of them, and some, but not all, of the PufferPedia entries are here, along with (I don't know why) a few Library articles: viewforum.php?f=38

Well because the LIB was locked and I don't have permission to move them ....

I'll move 'em.