The Puffer Forum

So I had my 75g set up for about three weeks before adding any fish, 80lb lr for now, then added my 3 very small GSPs into the tank after drip-acclimating them from a BW 30g. The puffers are all probably under 1.5 in. I'm happy to say however, that since I've moved them to full marine, I've seen huge improvements in their coloration and their behavior! One of them had a very dark stomach for weeks in the BW tank that just wouldn't go away, but after the move, they're all a vivid bright green with milky white tummies

Here's where I know Im taking a big risk, but I also added 2 small ocellaris clowns, both pretty much the exact size of my puffers, a little under 1.5 in. I was afraid that Im overstocking my tank and also that my GSPs would kill the clowns, however I've had them together in my tank for over a month now and I've had absolutely no problems shockingly! The clowns and puffers get along just fine, and I've some frequent water tests and my water params, are fine!

What do you guys think I should do? I know that the puffers might grow bigger, and the clowns too and mess with the water conditions, but I was told on this site that my GSPs might not even grow very large at all. I've had them for 3 months now and I've seen little to no change in size since I bought them.

At one point you will have to rehome the clowns and 1 puffer for long-term success.

Do they look like mine pictured here? (In a Saltwater 55G) They are roughly a little bit bigger then my thumb.

However when I got them in Feb 2012 they were just a little bit larger than a full grown Dwarf Puffer.
(Yes "rescued" from Walmart)


They do indeed grow.... slooooowlllllllyyyyyy.

I think everyone knows where I stand with regards to stocking levels so I won't go too much into it, you have enough fish for a 120g there, for it to work long term you would probably need much bigger. You may regret adding the clowns as they seem to like the taste of puffer finage so please keep a close eye to make sure your puffers are not getting nipped at. It's great you have the puffers in a marine environment and great that they are looking so well. Growth rate has so many factors it's impossible to list, I would not expect them to reach full size in the tank they are in, once you factor out the displacement of water from all your live rock etc you probably only have approx 35-40 g of water volume. Do you have any plans to upgrade in the future?

Yes sgtmyers theyre about that size maybe a bit smaller. I also "rescued" all 3 of my puffers from Walmart! Lol I know that I'm dealing with a lot of fish with my size tank, but so far everything is going really good. I don't know how soon I will be able to upgrade to a bigger tank, if I see significant growth from the fish I'll probably do it sooner rather than later.

Start looking for secondhand bargains. Growth will speed up in larger tanks. Remember to watch those clowns.

I'm afraid as the puffers mature & get more aggressive, the clowns will be in danger.