The Puffer Forum

saw this video on youtube was wondering is it normal to have puffers with lionfish? are they an acceptable pair in saltwater tanks, i have a 100g freshwater i just bought a second 125g tank wanted to make it saltwater would i be able to do any puffer with a lionfish? anyone out there thats tried this combo i also noticed at the fish store a porcupine puffer and a lionfish together.

ive said this before and I still believe that it can work for a while but its like housing a bulldog with a porcupine in a playpen. those spikes on a lionfish aren't just for intimidation, and those teeth on a puffer aren't just for smiles.

At the LFS where I bought my puffer, (I know they keep fishes only to sell) but they have put a porcupine puffer with a lionfish in the same little 20gallon tank, they've been together for at least 4months to my knowing, probably more than that...

Do what you want--your fish, your tank. I'm telling you, after 40 years of fish-keeping experience, it won't work.
We are on this site to try to keep our puffers alive for as long as possible. 4 months is nothing...

I would highly recommend against it.

EDIT: Fixed the video link.

We often get new members here trying to save puffers from lion fish stings, it is just a really bad mix

Pufferpunk said: Do what you want--your fish, your tank. I'm telling you, after 40 years of fish-keeping experience, it won't work.
We are on this site to try to keep our puffers alive for as long as possible. 4 months is nothing...

I never said I was willing to do so or even planning on it.. I just said I saw that too...

Saw a dogface and lion fish in close confines at my local maidenhead aquatics earlier, one or the other will likely be dead before purchase despite my warning. Pp was not intending to be harsh I am sure, this is a regular question here and it gets a little frustrating lol. It's a little like the " just got 3 gsp puffers for my fluval edge, set up 1 week ago. Why are they dying" question. Sometimes when you get a question so regularly you give a snippy answer. Take no offence we are here to help all puffer owners.

Actually, I often misconstrue when folks try to tell me they've seen it done at a LFS--like they're arguing with my advice, because they've seen it done at a LFS. Those are only holding tanks, not permanent long-term homes. For all we know, that's the 3rd different lionfish in a month in there...