The Puffer Forum

Im not new to fish keeping at all, been doing this for quite a few years but... Im a newbie to puffers. Here is what I have, that I would like to dedicate to a lone puffer. I have a 40B with a AC110 HOB filter, heated and fully cycled. It does have gravel and would like to keep the substrate but if I had to change to sand I could. This tank is all ready for a fish. The problem is what to get.

I dont want to have to deal with snails and what not so I really want a piscivore. I have a list of potential puffers that I think would work as a solo fish in there and just checking to see if Im on the right track. I am looking at the Arrowhead, Congo and Hairy puffers as candidates. Am I missing any other obvious choices for a 40B for life?

I also want it to be an easy feeding and care situation. Do I need to get stuff like crab legs, clams, things in the shell for these piscivore? I know some puffers require the hard items to keep their teeth in check, are the ones on my list needing that? Ive looked at the feeding guide here but they are kind of general and dont really address my questions exactly...

Anyway, any help or suggestions is appreciated.

Although snails are the best diet for most crustacean-eating puffers, I have to admit I've rarely bothered to feed them & have never bred any. Plenty of easy, crunch foods purchased from my grocery store to keep any puffer happy, even the piscivores, which most of us never feed fish to! Check the Pufferpedia (under the Learn tab) for different species.

I have a Hairy, he's a wonderful puffer, pretty active and LOADS of personality. I don't find him particularly messy, he's very clean provided I do a small water change each day - takes literally 5 minutes. He eats she'll on raw shrimp, earthworms, woodlice, and the odd mussel, when I can find them.

Thanks for the feedback. Since I have been looking at puffers for the past year or so I have seen seen a Congo, an arrowhead and hairy available. Currently I only have a hairy available for purchase and I would have to have it shipped to me which by the time Im done is close to $100, so Im still on the lookout.

DMD123 wrote: Do I need to get stuff like crab legs, clams, things in the shell for these piscivore? I know some puffers require the hard items to keep their teeth in check, are the ones on my list needing that? Ive looked at the feeding guide here but they are kind of general and dont really address my questions exactly...

Anyway, any help or suggestions is appreciated.

most (not necessarily all) store bought crab is cooked
be sure that any seafood is uncooked/raw when fed to puffers

eieio wrote:most (not necessarily all) store bought crab is cooked
be sure that any seafood is uncooked/raw when fed to puffers

Thank you for that info.

One thing Ive seen fed that i would consider is live crayfish. Problem is from my understanding of my states law (Washington) these can not be kept.
I am going to have to look carefully in my grocery store with a puffer in mind the next time I shop and see what is available.

Welcome to the forum. Good on you for researching prior to purchase!

The lurker Puffers like the ones you have mentioned have slow growing teeth (beak) when compared to other Puffers like green spots or figure eights. So, you don't have to worry as much about a high crunch diet. My lurker only eats live earth worms and thawed frozen shrimp. He's picky. I've offered other things but that all he wants.

Oh..forgotten to add.
Find a mom and pop fish store and ask them to get the fish from thier supplier. That way they cover shipping.

Also you might like a turgidus puffer.

One side note not mentioned in all the good hints and info you have been given so far: Many folks take the term "piscivore" too literally and think such are solely fish-eaters. In captivity (and frequently in the wild, if data is available) tend to be lurking bottom-feeders of whatever walks, glides, or swims by - which really just means lurking for whatever is edible and generally alive and does not notice the lurker until too late. Such critters generally will eat frozen/thawed foods if "trained" to non-live food via tongs, sticks, strings, forceps, or whatever.

One other thing not mentioned so far (unless I missed it) is that live fish are high-risk. That means no pet store guppies or goldfish feeders. If you insist on live fish. home bred and reared are best. Pet store feeders tend to have non-trivial infections by parasites and/or communicable diseases which can be transmitted to your pet fish. "Cleaning" up feeders is long and laborious and far from fool-proof. Don't risk a fish that can live for you 10-20 years and be a real wet pet.

HTH

Thanks for all the good information. Just found another puffer available, Tetraodon palembangensis. This one would still cost in terms of shipping but much more affordable.

One of my major concerns was the teeth issue and the need for hard foods. Seems like my list of possible puffers is one where teeth growth is not as fast so I think Ive got the right fish in mind. The problem is finding one I like. I may heave to just special order one. So far just due to the videos Ive seen of its voracious feeding, I really like the Arrowhead. But for color, a red type Congo just cant be beat. But just plain weird is definitely the Hairy, with all the cool skin tags.

So far it seems Im on the right track as to tank size for the ones Im interested in. While I do have the means to take on a Fahaka, I dont want to have to displace my other fish. Maybe one day.....

Oi, you calling Pig weird?

He's beautiful. And Frilly. Can't beat a happy pink fish with frills.

If you can house a fahaka then get one. They are by far the meanest/coolest puffer to keep. I am just twitching to get another one. Obviously the 40 would be no good for this but you are clearly aware of this

Stratters wrote:Oi, you calling Pig weird?

He's beautiful. And Frilly. Can't beat a happy pink fish with frills.

Is this the same 'piggy' that thought it needed some 'finger foods'?

They really are cool but a bit too expensive for me right now, though I could always sell an organ or something....

bertie 83 wrote:If you can house a fahaka then get one. They are by far the meanest/coolest puffer to keep. I am just twitching to get another one. Obviously the 40 would be no good for this but you are clearly aware of this

Ive got my 210g which would be an awesome home for a Fahaka but then my little 'Porckchop' the Pearsei would need a new home.
Not puffer fluffy, but a big fish none the less


So back to the 40B.... I had mentioned the Dragon/Palembang Puffer, would this also fit the same description as the other three puffers?

And the one thing I really forgot to ask, which puffer of the ones Ive mentioned would you consider having the best personality in general?