The Puffer Forum

Hi! So I am pretty sure I will get a hairy puffer, I did as much research as I could on this puffer but I want to know from people who have this puffer or used to have this puffer. My question are:

1. Is a 20 gallon tank enough?
2. What should be my main diet for a hairy puffer?
3. How many times should I feed it in a week?
4. Is 50% water change too much or too little or just right for this puffer?
5. Does this puffer need lots of decoration?

Thats all I can think of right now, I havent found the answers to these questions yet(except for #1 but just making sure) and want to have a successful tank and a happy puffer : D sorry if these are dumb questions to you guys but its gonna be my first time keeping puffers. Thanks!

I have a Hairy, he's kept in a 55 US gallon tank with double filtration (HOB and external canister filters). Decoration wise, he's more into places to hide and lurk - so he loves his Pig Cave, and plants, but he is also v find of his terracotta flowerpot and the corner where the filter outlet is.

Feeding depends on age - Piggy is an adult, so fed once a week, and eats tiger prawns (raw, shell on), red claw crabs, big earthworms (but only if you don't use any chemicals in your garden). He hates snails/clams, no interest at all.

Cleaning, I take out a bucket a day, and top up.

If you're in the UK, I am having to give up my tank so am looking to sell him and his belongings

Unfortunately I do not live in the UK. So if a hairy is full grown I only need to ffed them once a week? Dont they get hunger? Also do their teeth(beaks) get too long if I feed them earthworms instead of feeding them crabs or something that has shell? Thanks!

Also what kind of substarte is recommended?

Hunger, hard to tell, Pig will eat anything that moves and I suspect would gorge himself, but fat puffers have shorter lifespans. Plus they're lurkers, so in the wild only feed if the opportunity arises. I don't know about a diet solely consisting of worms and the state of their teeth, but they need a varied diet to ensure they get all the nutrition they require, so I strongly recommend a more varied diet.

Substrate is sand, although I've got Pig on a reptile mat that has little smooth gravel/ pebbles stuck to it, and it works v well - but his tank is v established and there is lots of rocks, plants, and wood for the bacteria.

I will feed them a mixed a mixed diet for sure but I will feed earthworms more often because I dont always buy shrimp or crabs. Does pool filter sand work too? I heard its easier to clean as well. Thanks!

My fella gets people shrimp, scallops (soaked in Vitachem) or earthworms 1-2x/week. He hides 90% of the time in his cave. Very cute though when he does come out for a visit!

Aren't they adorable when they go all pink because they're happy to see you

I cant wait to get one! But I need to first get a tank and wait for it to cycle : ( also need to find one. And how do you ffed people shrimp? Like do you cut the head of ? Do you freeze it and then thaw it or do you just buy people shrimp then just clean and pop it into the tank? Thanks

Always feed food like that & defrost in vitamin water. Whole is fine, just remove any uneaten food.

I still havent found a hairy ouffer near me (( I did see a mbu ouffer today its pretty awesome its like 4-5 inches, it was just in a 20 gallon I wanted it but I dont have nearly enough space to keep one. Hopefully I will find a hairy puffer fish soon!

You can order one from Wetspot Aquatics, if they still have them.

I dont think they ship them where I live. I might ask my lfs if they can get one for me

I have finally given up on trying to find or get one of these awesome guys : ( I just cant find any anywhere unfortunatly... Guess I'll just have to pick either a GSP or Figure 8, back to the drawing board I guess

LOL, took me almost 20 years to find one!