The Puffer Forum

Hello!

I have decided I am getting a Congo Puffer! That was the easy part, now for some questions

First of all, I am thinking of getting a 125l/33gallon tank. Specifically, the Juwel Rio 125. I know he would prefer a 180l/47gallon (the next one up in the range), but by how much? You see, the larger of the two would cost more, take longer to clean and water change, and be much more awkward to fit in my bedroom But I also want my congo to be absolutely happy, and I am willing to get the bigger tank, but only if he'd actually appreciate it. I mean, I assume it would be harder to clean, but I can't really speak from experience as this is the first big-ish tank i'll have owned.

Next is the filter. Once again, pretty much the same argument as with the tank, only its only really financially based. I am looking at the Eheim 2215/2217s. Basically, will the 2215 be enough or should I go for the 2217.

Finally, I just wanted to make an inquire as to the keeping of shrimp in a congo puffer tank. If I got a big colony going before I introduced the puffer, could it manage, or would he eat them all? I know congos are burying puffers, and I was just wondering if a few shrimp would make the tank look a little more alive whilst he isn't showing himself. And also when I went away (holidays etc.) could a shrimp colony keep him fed for a small while? (Only talking a week at max)

Thanks!

great fish, the Congo Puffer
a 47 gallon tank is a bit much, considering how inactive a fish a Congo Puffer tends to be
most find that a 20 gallon tank is fine, preferably a 20g long but a 20g tall would be fine too
FWIW, my Congos have done fine in a 20, and rarely have I seen them occupy more than 30% of the bottom area, usually picking a patch amounting to no more than 9"X9" to bury in
the Congo I have currently is rarely ever seen in the whole left side of the tank
as to shrimp, some seem to last for a long time, some get eaten right away
probably depends on the fish and the décor, feeding regimen, etc
with my last Congo, I got the feeling that he was annoyed by the shrimp in the tank, and seemed happier & more outgoing without them
as to the filter, the 2215 is recommended for a tank almost twice the size of the 47g you are considering, so it would certainly be more than sufficient for a 20g-33g tank

If possible try to get the larger of the two tanks for cleaner water quality in between water changes; however, only if the tank can fit your intended area. I wouldn't sacrifice more needed living space for a congo's larger tank. The increased 15g water isn't much of a difference IMO.

eieio wrote:great fish, the Congo Puffer
a 47 gallon tank is a bit much, considering how inactive a fish a Congo Puffer tends to be
most find that a 20 gallon tank is fine, preferably a 20g long but a 20g tall would be fine too
FWIW, my Congos have done fine in a 20, and rarely have I seen them occupy more than 30% of the bottom area, usually picking a patch amounting to no more than 9"X9" to bury in
the Congo I have currently is rarely ever seen in the whole left side of the tank
as to shrimp, some seem to last for a long time, some get eaten right away
probably depends on the fish and the décor, feeding regimen, etc
with my last Congo, I got the feeling that he was annoyed by the shrimp in the tank, and seemed happier & more outgoing without them
as to the filter, the 2215 is recommended for a tank almost twice the size of the 47g you are considering, so it would certainly be more than sufficient for a 20g-33g tank

That's happy news to both myself and my wallet Could I ask what diet you have your congo on? I'm thinking about prawns and snails for my puffer, but i'd love to know what other's are feeding theirs...

Terrance wrote:If possible try to get the larger of the two tanks for cleaner water quality in between water changes; however, only if the tank can fit your intended area. I wouldn't sacrifice more needed living space for a congo's larger tank. The increased 15g water isn't much of a difference IMO.

Yeah. It's so frustrating how if my bed was 10cm thinner I could fit the 47g in perfectly!

Congos are piscivores! That means you should look at a diet of home-bred feeder fish (fish store ones can carry parasites), or much easier frozen packaged fish.

Chinski wrote:

eieio wrote:great fish, the Congo Puffer
a 47 gallon tank is a bit much, considering how inactive a fish a Congo Puffer tends to be
most find that a 20 gallon tank is fine, preferably a 20g long but a 20g tall would be fine too
FWIW, my Congos have done fine in a 20, and rarely have I seen them occupy more than 30% of the bottom area, usually picking a patch amounting to no more than 9"X9" to bury in
the Congo I have currently is rarely ever seen in the whole left side of the tank
as to shrimp, some seem to last for a long time, some get eaten right away
probably depends on the fish and the décor, feeding regimen, etc
with my last Congo, I got the feeling that he was annoyed by the shrimp in the tank, and seemed happier & more outgoing without them
as to the filter, the 2215 is recommended for a tank almost twice the size of the 47g you are considering, so it would certainly be more than sufficient for a 20g-33g tank

That's happy news to both myself and my wallet Could I ask what diet you have your congo on? I'm thinking about prawns and snails for my puffer, but i'd love to know what other's are feeding theirs...

frozen/defrosted shrimp, ghost shrimp, live crickets, frozen/defrosted clams, frozen/defrosted krill (soak all frozen/defrosted foods in suitable vitamins)
though they are piscivores, "Olivia" will not touch home grown guppies, and unusual for a Congo, won't even consider live earthworms (she is really picky)
the Congo I had before her ate all of these foods
I don't think they will eat snails either, but you can try them
also, you can try frozen/defrosted silversides, mussels, squid
the bigger the variety, the better

I would like to do live food, but what type of a setup would I need to support just one puffer? I was looking on YouTube and some of the fish there were having hundreds of fry - I don't think even a puffer could eat all them!

I have no input on the puffer. Trust me go for the bigger eheim, the Ecco 2215 is a great filter but I feel the 2217 would be better suited. I had the 2215 on a 90l tank and wanted more from it.

Chinski wrote:I would like to do live food, but what type of a setup would I need to support just one puffer? I was looking on YouTube and some of the fish there were having hundreds of fry - I don't think even a puffer could eat all them!

Do you mean what kind of setup do you need to setup you need to produce feeder fish? They also eat dwarf shrimp and crayfish if you're interested.

If possible try to get the larger of the two tanks for cleaner water quality in between water changes; however, only if the tank can fit your intended area. I wouldn't sacrifice more needed living space for a congo's larger tank.

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