What Puffer/s should I get?

[Dieselfool]

First off let me say this, I know Jack about Puffers. Just filled up the new 220 and I'm starting to do a little research. I've decided to go with a brackish tank this time, but I only have filled with f/w at this point. Going to slowly bring up the s/g till it's high-end brackish to low-end s/w. Tank will be stocked with Monos, maybe a G.Tile eel and maybe some low-end s/w fish eventually. Right now I have 4 small Monos in and I'm busy looking for a eel that will work. So....what should I be looking for in Puffers? Would like two, but one would be fine as well if two couldn't work. Something around 8"-12" that won't get eatin by a 24" eel, will thrive and be happy in b/w-s/w and won't kill my Monos? Only thing I ever see for sale a my local lfs is GSPs and Figure 8s. Both seem a little small when full grown according to the Puffer Peda Forum.
So....what'da think? Would a set-up like this work, or should I re-think this whole Puffer thing?
Al.

[JRC3]

Is that a 220 gallon tank? Do you have cycled FW filters running on it? If not, why not just cycle the tank at the intended SG? What is your intended SG?

[Dieselfool]

Yes it's a 220gal. Yes I have cycled f/w filters on it now. Starting off with f/w because all the fish for sale around here (lfs and classifieds) are being kept in f/w, Monos, Puffers and Eels. Should have clarified that I'd like to start them off small and grow them out and into b/w. As far as s/g goes, I'm not too sure yet if I'd flip it to low-end s/w or just keep it high-end b/w. If that happens, it probibly wouldn't be for another year or so. Still have lots of learning to do.
Al.

[Master of Puffers]

If you don`t want to fill your tank completely...archer fish are fun in a brackish tank. I have 3 archers. 2 orange chromids and a pair of GSPs in my 1.010 brackish tank, 55 gallon tank. However we are planning to turn the 220 g tank into a brakish tank with a couple of inches of head space.

[sgtmyers88]

I would not trust eels and puffers together, but that is just me.

[Pufferpunk]

Yes, puffers are best kept in species only tanks. Certainly not with slow-moving, sedentary fish like eels.

[Dieselfool]

If you don`t want to fill your tank completely...archer fish are fun in a brackish tank. I have 3 archers. 2 orange chromids and a pair of GSPs in my 1.010 brackish tank, 55 gallon tank. However we are planning to turn the 220 g tank into a brakish tank with a couple of inches of head space.

Not really intrested in Archers, or Scats. And I like to keep my tank as full as possable. It drives me nuts if I see the waterline even just a little below my canopy edge, gotta top it up right away. LOL. Was looking at the Pufferpeda again and the Ceylon and Banded p/f get to a nice size (12" and 8") and that Ceylon is a really pretty fish too.

I would not trust eels and puffers together, but that is just me.

Yes, puffers are best kept in species only tanks. Certainly not with slow-moving, sedentary fish like eels.

Okay, something to think about.
Thanks.
Al.

[Pufferpunk]

You'll never find a Banded puffer FS anywhere. Keep in mind--most BW fish eventually prefer SW conditions & then maintenance is much more efficient.

[Master of Puffers]

You'll never find a Banded puffer FS anywhere. Keep in mind--most BW fish eventually prefer SW conditions & then maintenance is much more efficient.

what species of Banded puffer are you talking about? I've seen many species of puffer called banded puffer on ye olde interwebbie thingy over time.

[Pufferpunk]

I would assume it's the one he found in the Pufferpedia, in the BW section.

[PufferGhoti]

makes sense... Colomesus psittacus

I remember the Baensch photoindex 1-5 classified them under Freshwater (+ Brackish) so it depends on resources being used..

http://www.amazon.com/Baensch-Aquarium- ... 388244083X

There are a lot of learned texts that parrot info across, and therefore wrong info is disseminated so you see many mistakes in the trade. Pufferpedia is an excellent resource though and retrospectivily I find it "intresting/amusing" how many texts get T. fluviatilis (Topaz puffer, probably my personal favorite) wrong in their ID'ing in various aquarium books/magazines.

[sgtmyers88]

Indeed the two keys to distinguishing a T. fluviatilis (Ceylon Puffer) from your common Figure 8 Puffer is the size (larger than 3.5") or the lack of eyespots near the tail.

[Pufferpunk]

You'll rarely see an adult Ceylon in the stores--look for the eyespots in the F8. I have occasionally found a lone Ceylon in a tank of F8s.

[Flutter]

Don't monos become quite large and school? If I'm remembering correctly they aren't suitable for a 220 or if they are there wouldn't be room for tankmates.

[defool89]

If i had a 220g I would just have one happy fahaka puffer. ..they are just so majestically evil...I would ptobably throw in a rainbow shark or two and a battallion of ghost shrimp to eat his leftovers They love drfting meat no way I could garantee their safety tho but they make a cool combo. I would add a garden of baby tears and microswords...

Oh sorry I was daydreaming out loud.