Puffer for a 90 gallon aquarium?

[Sporticus]

I have a 90 gallon aquarium that has been cycling with a few plants and ghost shrimp for about 2-3 months now and want a puffer that will fit the tank without the need to upgrade to a larger tank later on. I'm aware the shrimp will become food and the plants could be destroyed and I'm okay with that. I currently have 2 undertank filters running on it. One is sized for an 80 gallon tank and the second is sized for a 175 gallon tank so the filtration shouldn't be a problem. I've been told to get a Fadakas puffer but the only info i could find on them has them requiring more space than I can provide. I have had a marine puffer in the past and know how fun, and demanding lol, they can be.

[Pufferpunk]

I'm picturing my 12" fahaka swimming around in my 90g. I think he wouldn't be very happy in there.

[defool89]

A fahaka is not something you should do if upgrading is not an option. Two reasons, the water volume will not support the eventual bio load. Your water reading will get dangerous too fast. And also, like pp said, 12" long wouldnt be that comfortable in a 90 gallon demension. And thats not as big as they might get. They can gget to be 18" long. They initially groow 1" per month, Initially that may not seem like a lot, but the inches add up quickly as I also have found out.

If youre planning on fw puffers in that 90g, you can scratch off a few. No fahaka, no mbu for sure. The congo may only need a minimum of 30g but they arent tolerant to any other fish, including like puffers. Click at the top of the page on "learn" then "pufferpedia" and you will learn your options.

[Nuclear_Glitter]

It really depends on if you wanna stay with fresh water or go to brackish and possibly marine.

[sgtmyers88]

About a half dozen F8's would work great or 2-3 GSP's. But both species are brackish and if you are leaning freshwater you would be better off with the F8's since they prefer low salinity and you can still do certain types of plants at SG 1.003 which is barely brackish.

You could also do a dozen DP's or a half dozen SAP's (totally freshwater) if you place a lot of plants and decor in the tank.