The Puffer Forum

hi, do you guys think I can house 1 x mbu, 2 x humpback and 5 x gsp in a 7ft x 3ft x 4ft tank?

I've got to leave for work. I'm sure you'll be getting some very interesting responses to your question.

Guys, please be gentle with him... At least he asked 1st!

edison wrote:hi, do you guys think I can house 1 x mbu, 2 x humpback and 5 x gsp in a 7ft x 3ft x 4ft tank?

have you already done this, or are you in the planning stage before buying the fish for your project?

edison wrote:hi, do you guys think I can house 1 x mbu, 2 x humpback and 5 x gsp in a 7ft x 3ft x 4ft tank?

1.) MBU itself needs MASSIVE Tank space.. Lets say a tank the size of a small car at minimum
2.) The 5 GSPs would be swimming food for the MBU while they were small.
3.) GSP as they get older need brackish water which will not work with the MBU

I got nothing for you on the humpbacks never had any experience with them.


Someone else will pop in with a bunch more tech data but the bottom line

NO with a huge HECK NO

Not unless you are planning a disaster. Puffers don't mix for a start, other reasons are stated above

I find this happening often in Singapore & similar countries. They don't know much about puffers there & lots of folks keep monster fish in tanks way too small in that country. Please read the profiles on these fish in our Pufferpedia. It's found under the Learn tab, above. There is also lost of info on these fish found in our Library.

No, no, no, and no. Sorry but an mbu requires a massive tank, IMO anything less than 500 US Gallons is inadequate, and 1000 is ideal.
Humpbacks also require a lot of space.
5 GSP's would require high-brakish to marine, and IMO I wouldn't put them in anything less than 300 gallons.
Finally, as others have said, mixing puffer species is a big no-no! Always ends in disaster.
You could probably get away with putting the mbu in that tank ALONE (Don't reccomend, your tank needs a larger width), (maybe) the 2 humpbacks ALONE, or the GSPs ALONE, but not any mixture of the 3 at all.

That large of a tank has potential though.

Thanks everyone for the advise. I'm currently having 2 humpback puffers and 5 gsp on separate tank. Because I'm falling in love with mbu and getting new house soon, I'm planning for the tank(s) purchase. =D

I will chime in late as I have a disagreement with an earlier response. IMHO and IME, 1000 US gallons is at best the bare minimum for one T. mbu. Four times that figure would be adequate if likely still not ideal. These are active and large and splashy fish - think of a large indoor pool as appropriate, and consider what water heating and changes will do the utility bills - it is one of those "if you have to ask the price, you cannot afford it" things.

FWIW

RTR wrote:I will chime in late as I have a disagreement with an earlier response. IMHO and IME, 1000 US gallons is at best the bare minimum for one T. mbu. Four times that figure would be adequate if likely still not ideal. These are active and large and splashy fish - think of a large indoor pool as appropriate, and consider what water heating and changes will do the utility bills - it is one of those "if you have to ask the price, you cannot afford it" things.

FWIW

@ OP; Then by all means follow this advice. I have not had any personal experience with T. MBU, but most owners here who have seem upset that they cannot properly house such a massive fish. My numbers are purely estimates based on the fish's size, compared to the volume requirements of smaller sized puffers.

Ok so what should you take away from this regarding MBU puffers.

Buy a HUGE tank 2,000 gallons + and build a small room attached for you to live in. LOL

Just kidding they are amazing looking fish I would love to have one but I am starting to lean towards the Porcupine puffers and stars and strips myself.

Id love to have a 1000g tank with a mbu but the heating alone is a fortune. This was why im concidering a 1000ish coldwater tank with koi fish and fancy goldfish.

I am quite sure our lfs have never seen one that's large enough nor know they are super size fish when mature.. Which is pretty sad. Unfortunately, stocks do come by often and they are relatively cheap. Puffers are not the mainstream species that people keep here so many do not have the necessary knowledge..

Buddy, if u happen to be looking at Seaview, their puffer section are often infected with ich and if u notice.. That side are all linked tanks...

Thanks for all your advises haha! Singapore's house is quite small. My new home is only 98ft and costing a bomb. Well, i'm looking forward to house my GSP and Humpback. Looks like I don't have the luxury to get a T.Mbu =(