The Puffer Forum

I am asking this for a friend who has a very large tank, 11'x4'x2' high. He has a porcupine puffer in there right now and wants to add a dog face or another large puffer if possible. He has tangs and Angels in there as well. Since his system is very large, I was thinking that it would work but I thought I would just be sure. Thanks!

I have always seen this combo end badly.

Even in a massive tank like this? Is there another puffer that might work?

Puffers are best kept as singletons & the main focus of the tank.

I rescued two puffers a while back. A dog face and Porcupine. There were in a small tank with other large fish (the two are 6" +) According to the previous owner they lived ok together, but when i got them home and introduced them to a 5 Foot system they changed personalities.

The porc would simply deny the dog face any opportunity to eat. I ended up separating them and putting each in its own 4 Foot tank. So even a change in environment or tank mates can be seen to change how they behave.

Also the porc which HAD been living with Clowns decided my two clowns looked tasty. So be careful what you wish for, you may not get the behavior you expect.

Having said all that they are both EXCELLENT fish, full of life and character. But as said before here, Puffers grow large and in most cases end up the central point of the tank.

You may be lucky to find a nice docile and friendly one (towards other tank mates). You may not.

Coops

I had my porcupine puffer for two years (he was about a foot long at the time) and then bought a 3" inch dog face. The porcupine not only accepted the dog face the dog face became the porcupine's pet. Both fish are very good natured and relaxed fish. So my advice is consider your fish. If your fish is a bully then do not add another puffer, if your puffer is very nice things should go well.

I have never seen this combo end well..

It's may or may not work. Just be prepared to separate. Porcupines are pretty vicious even though they look very unassuming. Dogface aren't much better.

I say get whichever you like best and let it grow big. It doesn't get much better than a porcupine imo. My vote for best puffer to own.